CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW)-Philippines reinforced its aid to women-led enterprises that benefited from the organization's sustainable livelihood project.

The international aid agency partnered with the Provincial Government in the conduct of the Provincial Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Council Expo 2021 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, Thursday, Nov. 25.

The expo showcased the products of local enterprises and provided a venue for the MSMEs to air their concerns to sustain their livelihoods and for government line agencies to present their programs to address the needs of MSMEs. 

IRW Philippines Program Manager Sittie Jamairah Disomimba said the partnership is part of the organization's support to the growth of women-led enterprises in the province under its Sustaining Women Economic Empowerment Project (SWEEP). 

“Under this project, we have helped 100 women-headed households to restart their businesses. Their experiences were shared with the Provincial MSMED Council and we came up with this idea to bridge the gap between the entrepreneurs and the line agencies of the government, as well as the mayors," she said.

SWEEP is a one-year project funded by the Islamic Relief-USA that aims to improve the economic opportunities of vulnerable communities particularly female-headed households in Marawi City and the municipalities of Marantao and Tugaya through sustainable livelihoods. 

According to Disomimba, the SWEEP beneficiaries received a full package of assistance which included training on financial management, e-commerce, product and market development, and a cash grant. 

“We did it that way to ensure na hindi masayang yung binibigay natin na tulong sa kanila [that the help we are giving them will not be wasted] and that they will be able to sustain the proposals that they have submitted to us,” she said.

SWEEP-assisted enterprises were among the MSMEs showcased during the expo. (APB/PIA-Lanao del Sur)