Press Release: YUVA Mauritius Hosts Landmark Workshops for Home-Based Workers and Micro-Entrepreneurs

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
11 June 2025

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: YUVA Mauritius Hosts Landmark Workshops for Home-Based Workers and Micro-Entrepreneurs

Bagatelle, Mauritius – 12 June 2025 — YUVA Mauritius, in close collaboration with HomeNet South Asia (HNSA), will host two transformative workshops tomorrow at the Voilà Hotel, Bagatelle. These back-to-back, women-only events will bring together 140 participants — 70 home-based women workers in the morning, followed by 70 women micro-entrepreneurs in the afternoon — for a day of empowerment, skill-building and inspiration.

This ambitious initiative reflects YUVA Mauritius’s ongoing commitment to economic empowerment and social inclusion, particularly among women who form the backbone of the country’s informal and microenterprise sectors.

The workshops will be graced by two distinguished Chief Guests:

Dr Drishtysingh Ramdenee, Secretary General of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and
Ms Somaya Dakri, renowned entrepreneur and founder of a successful Mauritian business.

Members of the press are warmly invited to attend and cover these significant events, which promise to highlight real stories of resilience, entrepreneurship, and transformation among Mauritian women.

WORKSHOP 1: Empowering Women Home-Based Workers

Time: 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM
Participants: 70 women operating micro-enterprises from home
Theme: Business Skills, Financial Literacy and Digital Transformation

This morning session targets women who run small-scale operations from their homes—ranging from food production and sewing to crafts, tutoring, and beauty services. Despite their contributions to family income and community well-being, these women often lack formal training, access to financial tools, and digital exposure.

Led by expert trainers and local business mentors, the workshop will focus on:

Strengthening basic business and marketing skills
Demystifying personal and business financial management
Introducing practical digital tools for small business owners

Through interactive case studies, peer group discussions, and real-world exercises, participants will leave equipped with a new sense of direction, confidence, and concrete strategies to grow their ventures.

WORKSHOP 2: Advancing Women Micro-Entrepreneurs

Time: 01:00 PM to 05:00 PM
Participants: 70 women already running micro-enterprises across Mauritius
Theme: Business Models, Financial Management and Digital Transformation

This afternoon session is dedicated to women who are actively growing micro-enterprises and seeking the knowledge and systems to formalise, scale, and sustain their businesses. Whether in retail, catering, services or artisanal production, these entrepreneurs represent the spirit of innovation and resilience in Mauritius.

The programme will guide them through:

Reviewing and improving existing business models
Developing stronger financial planning and bookkeeping systems
Embracing digital platforms for marketing, sales, and operations

Participants will also benefit from a structured networking session, offering them the opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and build valuable connections for future growth.

A Platform for Voices and Vision

In a country where informal female entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in economic development, these workshops aim to offer more than just technical training — they are spaces for dialogue, confidence-building and collective action.

YUVA Mauritius and HNSA believe that supporting women entrepreneurs at all stages — from operating informally at home to scaling up into formalised businesses — is key to creating a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economy.

The participation of Dr Drishtysingh Ramdenee, a champion of private sector innovation, and Somaya Dakri, an inspiring self-made businesswoman, will add tremendous value. Both Chief Guests are expected to deliver keynote speeches that highlight the importance of gender-inclusive development and the need for robust ecosystems to support women in business.

Media Invitation

YUVA Mauritius invites members of the press, photographers, and news crews to attend and cover this empowering event.

Venue: Voilà Hotel, Bagatelle
Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025
Times:

Morning Session: 09:00 AM – 01:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 01:00 PM – 05:00 PM

Media attendees will have access to:

Opening addresses by Chief Guests and organisers
Photo opportunities with participants and trainers
On-site interviews with participants, facilitators, and guest speakers
Workshop materials and workshop kits

Please confirm your attendance by emailing secretariat@yuva.info or calling +230 5252 5556.

About the Organisers

YUVA Mauritius is the country’s most active youth-led NGO, committed to eradicating poverty and empowering vulnerable communities through education, training, and entrepreneurship. YUVA has been at the forefront of social innovation and grassroots mobilisation in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region for over a decade.

HomeNet South Asia (HNSA) is a regional network that represents over 1.2 million home-based workers across South Asia. HNSA works to build visibility, voice, and economic viability for home-based women workers, and this initiative with YUVA marks a milestone in their expanding efforts in Mauritius.

For additional details, interviews or press materials, please contact:
YUVA Communications Office
Email: secretariat@yuva.info
Website: www.yuva.info

Together, let’s empower the women who power our economy.

Warm Regards,

Dr Krishna Athal
Executive Director