Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are disproportionately affected by unemployment. Most of the AGYW are hindered by the lack of skills, inadequate access to resources and networks, social and domestic responsibilities, restrictive gender norms and hiring practices. This project will equip AGYW aged 10-24 with market relevant skills for the immediate and emerging labor markets, and increase access to resources and support necessary to leverage employment opportunities.
There are currently more than 2.1 million adolescent girls and young women living in Rwanda (RPHC, 2022). Despite many empowerment programs to reach them, more than 1.2 million are under- or un- employed (RLFS, 2024). 91.6% of those employed, are in vulnerable and informal employment with meagre earnings. Most girls and their families are unable to bear the cost of education and training needed to generate income. Inadequate support and care work further limits their economic participation.
The project will provide a comprehensive package of support to enable AGYW acquire market-relevant skills. This includes technical and vocational training; life skills, work readiness and business management training; provision of start-up kits and support for internship. Other considerations to increase participation in training include provision of hygiene kits, transport facilitation and child-care support for teen mothers. Business coaching and mentoring will be provided by local businesses.
The project will train 200 AGYW enabling them to obtain and sustain employment, and transition from low-paying, informal jobs to more secure employment. An increase in incomes will directly translate to improved livelihoods and well-being of AGYW's children and their families. The project will contribute to increased agency and financial independence of AGYW, reducing dependence on male partners - in particular transactional sex - and further resulting in a reduction in gender-based violence.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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