origin of the women skilling center project
The Women’s Health and Skilling Center Project emerged as a strategic extension of our long-standing Community Maternal Health Project, which is a cornerstone of our annual initiatives to enhance maternal and child health in vulnerable communities. Over the years, our comprehensive health programs illuminated deeper, systemic issues affecting both young abused girls and vulnerable pregnant women within Uganda underserved communities.
Through our maternal health outreach, we consistently encountered troubling patterns of many young girls who are victims of abuse like forced marriages due to family poverty, rape by adults among others, which severely disrupts their access to education and essential care. These abuses not only impedes their educational opportunities but also denies them the necessary support for their overall well-being and future prospects. The consequences of such abuse are profound, leading to a cycle of disadvantage that is difficult to break.
Simultaneously, our observations revealed that many mothers in different communities face significant challenges in achieving economic independence. A substantial number of these women rely heavily on their husbands for financial support and access to health care. This dependency becomes problematic when their husbands are unable to meet all medical and health needs, leaving these women and their families in precarious situations.
In response to these intertwined challenges, the Women Skill Center Project was established. This initiative aimed to address the dual needs of young girls and women through targeted support and skill development. For the young girls who have endured abuse, the center provides critical educational support, vocational training, and counseling services. These resources are designed to help them overcome their traumas, regain access to education, and build a foundation for a more promising future.
For women, the project offers vocational training and empowerment programs to equip them with the skills necessary for financial self-sufficiency in skills like tailoring, weaving, computer literacy skills, hair dressing, art and craft etc. By providing practical skills and entrepreneurial training, the Women Skill Center enables women to reduce their dependency on external support and improve their economic stability.
The Women Skill Center Project represents a holistic approach to addressing the root causes of vulnerability identified through our maternal health work. It embodies our commitment to creating sustainable, long-term improvements in the lives of young girls and women, thereby fostering a more resilient and self-reliant community.
Project causes
The Women Skill Center Project is driven by the urgent need to address systemic issues identified through our Community Maternal Health Project, which revealed significant gaps in the support available to young girls and women in vulnerable communities. Many young girls, having suffered abuse, face severe barriers to education and essential care, leaving them trapped in cycles of disadvantage. Concurrently, many women are constrained by a lack of skills and economic independence, relying heavily on their husbands for financial and healthcare support, which is often inadequate. These intersecting challenges highlight the necessity for a dedicated initiative to provide educational support, vocational training, and empowerment resources, aiming to break these cycles of dependency and abuse, and foster self-sufficiency and resilience within the community.
Top skills women learn at the center
Computer Literacy
This training equips women with the ability to use computers for various applications, including word processing, data management, and online communication. By mastering these skills, women can enhance their employability, access remote job opportunities, and manage personal and professional tasks more effectively.
Tailoring
This training covers various aspects of tailoring, including pattern making, fabric selection, cutting, sewing, and finishing techniques. By learning tailoring, women gain the ability to create custom clothing and repair garments, which can open doors to entrepreneurial opportunities or enhance their employability in the fashion and textile industries.
Weaving
This training involves learning the fundamentals of weaving, including the use of looms, pattern design, and thread manipulation to create intricate fabrics and textiles. By acquiring weaving skills, women can produce unique handcrafted items, from clothing to home décor, which can be sold or used for personal purposes.
Future Skilling center project
Building on the insights gained from our annual Community Maternal Health Project, the Women Skill Center is poised for significant future expansion to better address the evolving needs of the communities we serve. Our experience has underscored the critical gaps in education, support, and economic stability affecting young girls who are victims of abuse, as well as mothers who lack the skills to achieve financial independence.
The planned expansion of the Women Skill Center will include the introduction of additional vocational training programs tailored to emerging market demands and local needs. These will encompass advanced skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and financial management, designed to further enhance economic opportunities and self-sufficiency for women. Additionally, the center will expand its support services to include more comprehensive counseling and educational support for young girls, ensuring they have access to necessary resources to overcome barriers to education and personal development.
We also plan to establish satellite centers in underserved regions, broadening our reach and providing localized support. This expansion aims to create a network of resource hubs that can offer consistent and accessible training and support, thereby amplifying the impact of our initiative.
By scaling these efforts, the Women Skill Center will more effectively address the intersectional challenges of abuse, educational deprivation, and economic dependency, fostering a more resilient and empowered community. This strategic growth reflects our commitment to creating sustainable, long-term improvements in the lives of women and girls, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and socioeconomic advancement.