MONTEGO BAY, St James — Nearly two-thirds of grass-roots businesses receiving annual support through the Social Development Commission’s (SDC) Local Economic Development Support Programme are led by women, according to the State agency.

“Of the approximately 400 such enterprises that the SDC supports each year, more than 60 per cent of them are led by women. Not only are they led by women but over 1,200 jobs are being created each year by these local economic initiatives,” Executive Director Omar Frith remarked at the SDC’s Women’s Empowerment and Opportunity Fair, held in Montego Bay on Thursday.

“These businesses are generating approximately $10 million per year in income and so women are not just recipients of service and support, women are creating opportunities and building our local economy,” he added.

Frith said the figures demonstrate that women are not seeking handouts but are willing to make meaningful contributions to their own well-being and to the wider society.

“Today’s initiative demonstrates that we are not seeing you as passive recipients of charity but you are contributing to building this nation and so investment in you is extremely important,” he stated.

Executive director of the Social Development Commission Omar Frith presents a token of appreciation to Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager Rochelle Forbes, during Thursday’s Women’s Empowerment and Opportunity Fair in Montego Bay.

The Local Economic Development Support Programme is designed to create quality jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and drive sustainable economic growth across more than 775 communities throughout Jamaica. Its key components include capacity building, business formalisation, and grant financing.

On Thursday, Frith spoke of how it has impacted beneficiaries’ lives.

“This programme reflects the opportunity that allows individuals to transform their economic lives and to contribute meaningfully to the local economic space,” he said.

In addition to commending women for the role they played in the programme’s success, the executive director also highlighted the significant contribution women are making within the SDC itself.

“We are not looking for tokenism; you know how people like to say you have programmes for women, you have a token woman here and there. Within the SDC’s leadership core, of the 14 parish managers island wide, nine of them are women. Of the 10 directors, five are women, one of whom is a deputy executive director,” he highlighted.

Nearly 100 women from communities across Montego Bay attended Thursday’s event. Designed for women between the ages of 17 and 35, the fair sought to equip participants with practical tools for personal and professional development through job-readiness training, career guidance, mock interviews, counselling, and motivational sessions centred on self-love and self-care.

Executive director of the Social Development Commission Omar Frith addressing the agency’s Women’s Empowerment and Opportunity Fair, held in Montego Bay on Thursday. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with representatives of other government agencies, financial institutions, and prospective employers, providing valuable access to support services, career opportunities, and professional networks. Among the participating organisations was Sandals Resorts International (SRI).

“Let go of the burdens and the limiting beliefs holding you back,” SRI Regional Public Relations Manager Rochelle Forbes urged attendees.

“Persevere when the journey becomes difficult; every meaningful vision requires persistence. Don’t be discouraged if others cannot see what you are building, they don’t need to see your vision for it to become a reality; and trust God with your vision, do your part faithfully and trust him to the rest,” she added.

Frith also had a message for those gathered at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre.

“I want to encourage you and remind you that among you today are… not just people who are looking for a job or looking for an opportunity but among you are the next changers and decision-makers of this country,” he said.