There is Hope sets to implement young women rise project at Dzaleka Camp

By Vincent Gunde

A Local Non – Governmental organization (NGO) There is Hope (TIH) says it is set to implement young women rise – a project for empowering refugee and host community at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa district.

Young women rise project is for empowering young women through green skills, enterprise and economic independence that a large percentage of young women are unemployment and underemployment, limited market – driven skills and access to capital, gender barriers in technical trades, deforestation and reliance on biomass fuels and training often ends with certification, not income.

Presenting the project to the District executive committee (Dec) in Dowa, TIH Communication Coordinator Madalitso Mvula, said the project is coming now at a time that there’s growing demand for Tailoring, Welding and Fabrication, existing TVET infrastructure already in place, need for refugee – host community economic integration, climate and livelihood challenges require innovative solutions.

Mvula said There is Hope (TIH) has solutions, 60 vulnerable young women (60 percent refugees, 40 percent host community), 30 Tailoring and Fashion Design, and 30 Fabrication and Welding.

He said the project combines TVET, enterprise incubation and green livelihoods, reusable or recycled clothing products and eco – cookstore production.

The Communication Coordinator said the project will target 60 young women aged 18 – 34, 240 household members indirectly benefit, 300 community members with access to green products.

Mvula said the priority of the project will be mothers, Gender Based Violence survivors, women with disabilities and it is expected that 60 women TEVETA – certified, women – led income generating groups, increased confidence and economic Decision – making, and reduced deforestation, and smoke exposure.

“The project will make participation possible and safe through target recruitment, women living in poverty, young mothers, and applicants with limited prior qualifications,” he said.

In his remarks, Dowa District Council’s Principal Environmental Development Officer Yusuf Laki, called on partners implementing various interventions in the district to support the project for it to achieve its planned objectives.

There is Hope (TIH) will implement young women rise project with support from Global Affairs – Canada.