In a continued effort to foster women’s economic empowerment, Mr. Kamoshida Naoaki, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, visited women entrepreneurs in Mannar district who have been supported through the project ‘Pathways to Peace: Realizing the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in Sri Lanka’.

The project, implemented by UN Women in partnership with Chrysalis and with generous support from the Government of Japan, has been making significant progress in strengthening women-led businesses across conflict-affected areas, namely Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Mannar and Mullaitivu. 

With the assistance of 1.7 million USD by the Government of Japan, approximately 500 women entrepreneurs have successfully enhanced their capacity through a series of trainings in business planning, financial literacy, and product innovation. These targeted trainings have enabled them to refine their business models, further complemented by trainings to increase access to markets, and technology transfer to promote sustainability in their operations.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Kamoshida Naoaki, Minister / Deputy Head of Mission stated, “By equipping women with necessary skills and by unleashing their potentials, we could catalyze positive changes that reverberate across communities and could create a new driving force for economic growth.  Japan remains committed to empowerment of women and sustainable, inclusive development of this country”.This collaboration builds on Japan’s longstanding commitment to gender equality and inclusive development and reflects shared priorities under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Women, Peace and Security Agenda. By creating pathways to economic empowerment, the initiative contributes to sustainable peace and development in Sri Lanka.