Swazi SHEROES works with young women in Eswatini to build entrepreneurial and workforce skills that translate into viable, sustainable economic opportunities that mitigate the HIV/AIDs epidemic. Through Swazi SHEROES, women control the tools they need to succeed and become economically empowered through mentorship, social enterprise, and holistic support so they can have both their health and economic freedom.
HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for women in Eswatini, who are consistently excluded from economic participation due to lack of opportunity. Many choose transactional sex to support their families and themselves, furthering intergenerational cycles of poverty and disease.
Swazi SHEROES learn the basics of economic sustainability through social enterprise as they design, produce, and market the goods they make. With their earnings and newfound business acumen, our cohorts achieve the independence they need to protect their health and wellbeing. SHEROES also receive mentoring and psychosocial led by professional facilitators in a community setting, giving them confidence to achieve their goals.
Armed with the skills and confidence they gained in the program, SwaziSHEROES alumni go on to find meaningful employment, continue their education, or start their own business, breaking the cycle of poverty and disease rather than resorting to risky behaviors to make ends meet.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
