Young female leaders are dynamic change-makers in rural communities! Lima plans to provide accredited training and a gender-focused life skills workshop for 6 highly talented young women of color working in the challenging field of rural development. These passionate young ladies are impacting disadvantaged communities throughout South Africa. This project will create a path for their professional growth through management skills development, with the support of woman-to-woman mentorship.
Women's economic empowerment in South Africa is greatly undermined by financial and family obstacles, and South African women also face gendered barriers to rising up a career ladder that strongly favors men. Given the country's complicated socio-political history, these issues are especially challenging for young women of color, who are committed to professional growth but lack management-track learning opportunities and meaningful, representative mentorship.
To propel their career growth to a higher level, this project will bring 6 highly motivated young women out of the field to receive college-level training in financial management, advanced proposal writing, and goal-oriented team leadership. The group will then participate in a woman-to-woman weekend workshop led by a gender specialist, where they will engage in a "safe space" to discuss shared experiences and challenges and generate tactics for success in their personal and professional lives.
This project will bridge the management skills gap for 6 young women who have clearly demonstrated passion and commitment to their work in rural development, but who face obstacles to progressing further in their careers. By providing female-centered mentorship, fellowship and support, this project presents a real opportunity to invest in their long-term professional growth, as well as to address some of the unique challenges faced by these young South African women of color.
