said one of the main goals of President Jose Jeri's government is to promote the economic autonomy of the most vulnerable populations affiliated with social programs, moving away from welfare-based assistance.
"The world is facing fatigue with welfare-based policies. Before this forum, Peru proposes that the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda place economic autonomy at its core, through the promotion of entrepreneurship," she stated.
The minister highlighted that Peru achieved a reduction in poverty from 48% to 24%, mainly due to conditional cash transfer programs.
"These transfers," Shica said, "are not an end in themselves, but the fuel for the economic takeoff of those who have the least."
She noted that this social approach aims to turn the social protection network into a platform for boosting entrepreneurship and generating sustainable income.
"We do not want to be remembered for how many grants we delivered, but for how many Peruvian families were able to move beyond them and commit to progress, generating development within their communities," Shica underlined.
"That is the path toward equitable and sustainable development for Peru and for the international society we all aspire to," she added.
Women entrepreneurs
Minister Shica stressed the importance of the Mi Emprendimiento Mujer (My Entrepreneurship Woman) program, through which her sector supports members of community kitchens and soup kitchens in becoming entrepreneurs.
The high-ranking official explained that, thanks to an investment of S/17 million (about US$5.07 million), 2,600 women now operate industrial ovens, sewing machines, and other equipment, enabling them to consolidate gastronomic and textile microenterprises.
Finally, the Cabinet member reported that the Midis budget for the current year amounts to 7.584 billion (about US$2.263 billion), of which 96% is allocated to social programs. Their success will now be measured by the number of beneficiaries who manage to escape poverty in a sustainable manner and with economic independence.
Shica is the youngest minister participating in this major international forum, which also features ministers from countries such as Sweden, Jordan, and Syria, among others.