PILOT PROJECT ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN-RWANDA

Transcription

1 PILOT PROJECT ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN-RWANDA Olive Z. Ingabire (Ag Project Manager /Migeprof) Sam Barigye, Technical Specialist;training of trainers/wda Radegonde Ndejuru, Director General, Imbuto Foundation

2 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Rwanda has made remarkable progress since the 1994 genocide. However, in spite of the country s transition from reconstruction to development, poverty in Rwanda remains widespread. 57% of the households in general, of which 61% are female-headed, in some cases by young girls, live under the poverty line, while 37% of households suffer extreme poverty. 2

3 Background and problem analysis Women in spite of constituting the majority of the population are particularly disadvantaged in their access to the labor market. The majority of women (57%) are not remunerated for their labor and only 13% work in non farm employment (Rwanda 2005 DHS: Demography and health survey). Youth is also a big part of the population: 40% of Rwanda s population is aged between 14 and 35 3

4 Background and problem analysis An underlying reason for the disadvantaged position of women is the lower levels of performance and completion of girls at all levels of education especially secondary education which a mere 1% of girls complete 4

5 Background and problem analysis Adolescents girls and young women especially those who are the most disadvantaged, need particular support in their efforts to enter the labor market, through skills training suitable for productive employment. Rwanda s vision 2020 priorities key area of reform with gender considered as a crosscutting element in all sectors of the economy. Many initiatives have come up both from government, civil society and DP s and here comes AGI. 5

6 Objectives of the AGI project To improve employment, incomes, and empowerment of disadvantaged adolescent girls and young women (age years), in four districts in Rwanda. To test innovative approaches to promoting productive employment for the targeted beneficiaries, as well as providing scholarships for the return to formal education. 6

7 PROJECT COMPONENTS Components of the project 1. Vocational skills and support for entrepreneurship 2. Scholarship to resume formal education 3. Project implementation support 7

8 Components Project Coverage of the project The project is designed to take place in four districts; two urban and two rural. RULINDO Bushoki Kinihira Shyorongi GICUMBI Rushaki Rutare Byumba KICUKIRO Masaka Gikondo Gatenga GASABO Remera Kinyinya Nduba Districts are geographically contiguous, in areas highly affected by conflict. Selected sectors have high levels of marginalization. 8

9 Components of the project Girls (16-24 for C1) Literacy (can read and write) Out of school for at least a year (to avoid incentives for dropping out of school). At least 2 of the following socio economic conditions: Orphans Widows Heads of Households Commercial sex workers People living with HIV/AIDS Target Population Those with low asset endowments (e.g. Landless in rural areas) Those with low asset endowments 9

10 Selection of Beneficiaries A Selection Committee will be formed and shall be composed of: Representative of the project Official from the Sector Administration (Social Affairs, E/S) Representative of Civil Society (woman who is resident in the sector and widely respected: Inyangamugayo) Officer from Conseil National des femmes (CNF) Representative of Youth Council Advertisement, registration (self-reporting) and lottery from eligible candidates. 10

11 Vocational Skills and Support for Self-Employment Introduction (0.5 months) Intensive two-week induction covering: teambuilding, communication, basic literacy and numeracy, and an orientation to the project as a whole and training options. Beneficiaries select training area Skills Formation (6 months) Training in technical skills Training in entrepreneurship and life skills Cooperative formation for peer support and other services Psychosocial services Community based child care Stipend: 500 RWF (200 RWF for saving account available at completion of training) Micro-enterprise establishment (5.5 months) Cooperative consolidation and registration Mentoring by female established entrepreneur in business development; product development, market assessment, link and mentoring to microfinance services. Psychosocial services Stipend: 300 RWF 11

12 Training Options Food Processing ( Honey production and processing, Juice making, Baking, Fruits and vegetable processing and Juice processing) Arts and crafts (basket, Mats and leather works hand-loomed products and pottery) Clean and Sustainable energy (Solar technology) ICT (networking and Database systems, Computer maintenance & repair, and Database Hospitality options such as; Culinary skills, Food and Beverage service, Housekeeping operations, Front office operations Technical Servicing( Electrical and Electronics servicing and refrigeration) 12

13 Coordination of the project Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion: MIGEPROF is responsible for the implementation and the monitoring of the project through a project management unit. 13

14 Workforce Development Authority-WDA: This is a government institution mandated to promote, facilitate and guide the development and upgrading of skills and competencies of the national workforce, ultimately enhancing competitiveness and employability. WDA will implement component 1 of the project, including: Curricula Development Training of Trainers Rehabilitation of training facilities Purchase of necessary equipment and materials for training Testing and certification of trainees Administration of stipends Administration of contracts for entrepreneurship skills and psychosocial support. Implementing Organizations Monitoring 14

15 Implementing Organizations (2) IMBUTO Foundation: is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to support the development of a healthy, educated and prosperous society. One of its main projects is the promotion of education, especially for girls. 15

16 Implementing Organizations (3) IMBUTO Foundation will execute Component 2 of the project which include; Scholarship to eligible adolescent girls and Young Women (120, 30 per district). Beneficiaries will be accommodated by one private school in each district. A mentor will be assigned to the four schools to support the young girls and women in their studies 16

17 Implementation Strategy The characteristic of the project is its integrated approach to the training, mentoring and support of beneficiaries Local government has a role to play in implementation and coordination. District and sector officials have and continue to play an active role in the identification of beneficiaries, and training facilities, formation of cooperatives through the Rwanda Cooperatives Agency-RCA, and support in in internships and accessing local markets through PSF. 17

18 Challenges in Design Challenges Target beneficiaries: potential beneficiaries are the most vulnerable with low education levels (primary) which hinders them from accessing sophisticated skills, (most vulnerable) Lack of adequate training centers and availability of areas of training for skills that offer economic opportunity for beneficiaries. Potential beneficiaries interest almost exclusively on self-employment due to risk of sexual exploitation Low access to finance for young people 18

19 Challenges Challenges in Implementation Delays due to change in implementing Ministry. Lessons Learned in Early design and Implementation Early partnership between various institutions is crucial (Steering committee, local leaders ) 19

20 THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION! 20