Gender Equality Colombia Project #40322

Economic inclusion of 350 teen mothers, Colombia

by Fundacion Juan Felipe Gomez Escobar

Summary

Juanfe Foundation will integrate 350 adolescent mothers living in poverty into the formal labor market, after training them in soft and practical skills and managing job opportunities. The young mothers will leave the informal market and earn a stable, decent income, thus reducing the risk of sexual and labor exploitation and providing their children with better life opportunities. Ultimately, they substantially improve their quality of life, achieve economic inclusion and narrow the gender gap.

$100,000
total goal

$35,530
remaining

111
donors

0
monthly donors

3
years

Challenge

In 2018, 19% of the total number of births in Colombia were from girls aged 15-19. Young mothers are less likely to complete secondary education and gain human capital, and are prone to violence and sexual abuse. They are forced into the informal market, being subject to unfair wages and poor access to social security and financial services, generating exclusion. These conditions are worse among the poor population, for whom economic mobility is low/null. This issue has intergenerational effects

Solution

Juanfe provides job training for adolescent mothers, empowering them in the acquisition of formal decent jobs and the generation of stable income. They prevent subsequent pregnancies thanks to reproductive health education and achieve emotional stability through training in soft skills, thus ensuring job permanency and preventing abuse. As a result, they gain economic autonomy and start moving up the income ladder, leaving the base of the pyramid and accessing social security services.

Long-Term Impact

The project will help 350 adolescent mothers acquire formal jobs, empowering them to become economically autonomous and to provide better life opportunities for their children and families; thus promoting social and economic inclusion and reducing the gender gap. As they leave the base of the pyramid and the informal market, they contribute to the local and national economy, because they reinvest 90% of their income in their families and communities.