Jasikan, Oct. 18, GNA - The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has organised a training workshop for 90 women leaders of the Progressive Women Association (PWA) of the Jasikan Diocese of the Catholic Church on government policies. The workshop was to sensitise the women on how to access loan from the government and non-governmental organisations for self-help projects.

It was also to help to improve the standard of living of the participants who were mainly fishmongers, farmers, bead makers and traders.

Mrs Fedelia Dorleku, the President of the Association, said lack of financial assistance to self-employed women groups was undermining the commitment of such groups towards socio-economic development. She said women had good reputation for repayment of loan and called on financial institutions to come to their aid. Mrs Dorleku underscored the importance of regular training for people in the informal sector and appealed to organizations that cannot offer financial assistance to consider organising training workshops for people in the informal sector.