The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM) and the Ministry of Women have signed a cooperation agreement to promote women’s economic empowerment, expand leadership opportunities, and strengthen female participation in the Dominican Republic’s productive sectors.
The partnership seeks to coordinate public policies that encourage greater participation by women in industry, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurship, and innovation, while improving access to training, financial education, and business development programs.
Expanding Women’s Role in the Economy
Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs Yayo Sanz Lovatón said the country’s continued economic growth depends on fully harnessing the talent, innovation, and leadership of women.
He noted that the agreement strengthens collaboration between both institutions to develop initiatives that create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals, contributing to the country’s productive development.
Minister of Women Gloria Reyes described economic autonomy as one of the essential pillars for building a more equitable society. She said the partnership will expand access to education, leadership development, and entrepreneurship programs designed to increase women’s participation in strategic sectors of the economy.
“Mujeres que Lideran” Initiative Introduced
During the event, officials presented Mujeres que Lideran (“Women Who Lead”), a new initiative created to strengthen the leadership skills of women serving in executive positions, business owners, and entrepreneurs.
The program will provide specialized training, mentoring opportunities, and professional networking designed to support participants’ personal and business development while helping them expand their leadership capabilities.
Authorities also announced scholarships for the Executive Program in Women’s Leadership, which will offer advanced training focused on strategic decision-making, organizational management, and executive leadership. The objective is to increase the number of women holding leadership positions throughout the Dominican Republic’s productive sector.
Broad Cooperation Agenda
The framework agreement outlines a wide range of joint initiatives that will be implemented by both ministries. These include professional training programs, capacity-building initiatives, support for innovation and digital transformation, financial education, and assistance for women-owned businesses.
The partnership also aims to improve women’s access to markets and value chains, generate data and indicators measuring female participation across productive sectors, and promote wider adoption of the Igualando RD Seal, a national certification that recognizes organizations committed to gender equality and inclusive workplace practices.
Interagency Coordination
To oversee implementation, the agreement establishes an interinstitutional technical committee that will monitor progress, evaluate results, and identify new opportunities for cooperation between the two ministries.
Officials said the initiative reflects the Dominican government’s broader commitment to expanding women’s participation in economic decision-making while creating conditions that support entrepreneurship, business growth, and inclusive economic development.