TaiwanICDF - Taiwan–St. Kitts and Nevis Partnership Sets New Benchmark for Social Resilience: Five Years of Outstanding Achievements in the Women’s Empowerment Project

News

Taiwan–St. Kitts and Nevis Partnership Sets New Benchmark for Social Resilience: Five Years of Outstanding Achievements in the Women’s Empowerment Project

Press Release Date: December 17, 2025

The Taiwan Technical Mission in Saint Kitts and Nevis on November 29 held a closing ceremony for the Women’s Employment, Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion project (WEEFI), following successful completion of the initiative’s objectives.

Conclusion of the project, which was implemented over the past five years in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs, marks a meaningful and fruitful collaboration between Taiwan and Saint Kitts and Nevis in advancing women’s empowerment and social resilience.

Distinguished guests at the ceremony included the Hon. Denzil Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Hon. Eric Evelyn, Deputy Premier of Nevis; the Hon. Jahnel Nisbett, Minister of Gender Affairs of Nevis; and the Hon. Spencer Brand, Minister of Labour of Nevis. The guests collectively acknowledged the significant achievements of Taiwan–St. Kitts and Nevis cooperation in technical and vocational education and women’s empowerment. A project video was screened during the event, and participants presented handmade souvenirs to the guests—symbolizing the confidence, creativity, and growth they gained through skills training and entrepreneurship coaching.

Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Kitts and Nevis, Ambassador Edward Ling-wen Tao, expressed gratitude to the SKN government, the Ministry of Gender Affairs, educational institutions in the country, and the Nevis Island Administration for their support. He also commended the contributions of institutions such as TEVT, CWIT, and the University of the West Indies, as well as the dedication of the project instructors. Ambassador Tao emphasized that the closing ceremony is not an end, but a new beginning in the participants’ career journeys and a step forward in Taiwan–SKN cooperation for economic prosperity, talent development, and social resilience.

Taiwan Technical Mission Project Manager Chan Ruo-Chien shared that the project launched in 2021 during the height of the pandemic, when many women in SKN faced loss of income and increased family stress. The governments of Taiwan and SKN joined hands to help women rebuild their lives, gradually restoring their economic capacity and sense of self-worth. In the first phase of the project, over 250 women participated in vocational training, and 60 entrepreneurial proposals received mentoring support. In its second phase, the project expanded services to include youth and men, integrating skills training, internships, and business support—effectively improving household incomes and career prospects for participants.

TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General Peifen Hsieh highlighted that the project represents a key advancement in Taiwan’s global efforts in promoting women’s economic empowerment and social resilience. She said that beyond boosting women’s income, the project has strengthened family resilience in the face of economic and life challenges. She expressed appreciation for the deep partnership built over the years with the SKN government and commended the technical mission’s long-standing grassroots efforts. These efforts have effectively integrated skills training, entrepreneurship support, and family care resources, advancing the vision of improving lives and transforming futures.

The project also achieved several groundbreaking milestones, including the first implementation of the National Vocational Qualification certification system in the country—formally advancing the local TVET system toward institutionalization and professionalism. Instructors from both St. Kitts and Nevis successfully obtained the Caribbean Vocational Qualification Level 4 certification, enhancing the quality of local vocational education and training. The project saw impressive outcomes in women’s economic empowerment, with trainees evolving from “daring to try” to “delivering results” through support in entrepreneurship, skill development, product design, and marketing. The project also broadened its beneficiary base to include youth and vulnerable groups, contributing to inclusive growth and social empowerment.

Taiwan remains committed to sharing its experience in education, vocational skills, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship support. Through cross-sector collaboration, Taiwan will continue to accompany the women and youth of SKN in their journey toward self-reliance and growth—helping more families build resilient futures in an ever-changing world. This partnership not only showcases the strong ties between Taiwan and Saint Kitts and Nevis but also echoes Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung’s Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project initiative, which prioritizes people, capacity building, and sustainability.