Beqa women strengthen livelihoods through enterprise training

Women in the Beqa-Yanuca region are steadily transforming their livelihoods, with new skills in business management and leadership beginning to reshape community enterprises.

Through a programme led by the Pacific Blue Foundation, women in Naiseuseu and Dakuibeqa villages are gaining practical training in bookkeeping, financial literacy, and cooperative governance, equipping them to better manage income-generating activities and take on more active roles in decision-making.

In Naiseuseu Village, the impact is already visible.

Members of the women’s cooperative have improved the way their village store is run, following training focused on record keeping and financial management. For the first time in two years, financial records have been properly updated and organised, allowing the cooperative to prepare for audit and strengthen its credibility.

Small but meaningful changes have followed.

Shelves are now neatly arranged, products are clearly labelled, and daily transactions are recorded more consistently. Women managing the store say these improvements have made operations smoother and more transparent, while also encouraging more customers to support the business.

Beyond the technical skills, the training has strengthened women’s confidence.

Participants are now more comfortable handling finances, planning for business growth, and making decisions about how income and resources are used. Many are taking on greater responsibility within the cooperative, guided by a clearer understanding of their roles and the importance of accountability.

In Dakuibeqa Village, a two-day board governance training has further strengthened women’s leadership.

Participants gained knowledge in areas such as strategic planning, financial oversight, and cooperative by-laws — skills that are helping them guide their cooperative with greater confidence and direction. Women are now more involved in shaping plans, managing operations, and ensuring that decisions are made collectively and transparently.

Community members have observed a shift in leadership dynamics.

Women are increasingly leading discussions and decision-making processes within the cooperative, while men are offering support in ways that reflect a growing respect for women’s leadership.

The programme has also strengthened teamwork among women’s groups.

Through peer learning and group discussions, women are working more closely together, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other to improve how their businesses are run. This collective approach has helped build trust and improve coordination within the groups.

While challenges remain, including limited access to information, the high cost of travel, and competing household responsibilities, the progress made so far highlights what is possible when women are given access to the right support.

For many participants, the benefits go beyond income.

Women who once had limited involvement in business activities are now managing finances, contributing to household earnings, and participating more actively in community affairs. Their growing confidence and visibility are helping to shift perceptions about women’s roles within the village.

As the programme continues, the changes taking place in Beqa reflect a broader story, one where women are not only strengthening their livelihoods, but also shaping the future of their communities through leadership, cooperation, and enterprise.

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