Location: Wakiso Sub-County, Wakiso District, Uganda

Key(s): Economic Empowerment, Education

Youth and Women Initiative for Sustainable Development has launched a 12 month project in which they plan to increase access to sustainable employment opportunities for women in the Wakiso Sub-County of the Wakiso District in Uganda by providing vocational training for 100 women and girls aged 15-38. The project will target indigeneous women and girls with disabilities and allow them to engage in viable employment opportunities to support themselves and their families and increase their overall quality of life.

In the Wakiso Sub-County, 80% of the population is currently unemployed. The lack of available work opportunities leaves women with even fewer options than men. Many women have no choice but to engage in sex work to support themselves, or fall into theft and other crimes for self-preservation. The majority of these women lack practical skills that would qualify them for employment and have never attended school. Although these challenges are not new to this community, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly exacerbated the issue, prompting the team at YWISD to take action.

COVID-19 caused schools to close for a long period of time. This has led to an increase in early pregnancy which has accelerated the rate of school drop-outs over the past two years. It also led to many teenage girls feeling like they have aged out of school. Many of these young women and girls are now the breadwinners for their families.

YWISD has been approached by women requesting help in equipping them with practical skills to help them earn an income. They have identified tailoring and baking as two skills that are in high demand and that can lead to sustainable income. The project began in March of 2022 with the beginning of their 6 month tailoring training course. The organization also sees great value in the opportunity to regularly meet with women in the community. They hope to be more attuned to their needs, so that they can help provide for their basic needs and decide what other types of education would be beneficial.

Not only is the organization aiming to create sustainable careers for disadvantaged women, they are also actively breaking down the societal stereotype that women and girls don’t need education and demonstrating how resourceful women can be. The hope is that the women participating in the program, who will then go on to earn a sustainable income, will serve as an example to the community that there is so much value in educating women and sending girls to school.

Beginning in October of 2022, the group will begin their bakery training. 50 women and girls will learn how to bake and set up a small business. After the training they will receive a certificate and ongoing support. 

Following these two courses, YWISD will evaluate the effectiveness, and decide whether to continue developing these courses or to add a new course in hairdressing for 2023. Overall, the organization is ready to make a real impact on women and girls who are struggling to provide for themselves. They hope to create lasting changes in the lives of these women and break down societal barriers.

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