The Road to the SDGs

T H E R O A D T O T H E S D G s | P R O G R E S S A N D A C H I E V E M E N T S ACHIEVEMENTS X 500 young women were trained in basic fashion garment production and computer literacy, 300 of whom received advanced-level training. X 63 MoUs were signed between CMES and employers/local entrepreneurs to place the training graduates in jobs. X The training positively impacted the occupational pattern and income of the training graduates and raised awareness. After completing the project, a sample survey found that: – Before joining the training programmes only 10% were engaged in economic activities. This number increased to 64% after enrolling in the training programmes, 11% in employment/jobs, and 50% in business/self-employment – The 10% of participants who were economically active before the training earned up to US$ 24 per month while, after completion of the training courses: — 36% of participants earned up to US$ 24 — 24% of participants earned up to US$ 60 — 2% of participants earned up to US$ 120 — 1% of participants earned above US$ 120 – The monthly average income increased to US$ 37, from only US$ 5 before the training – A sample survey with the graduate trainees and members of the community shows that the awareness level on human rights issues increased significantly among the training graduates as well as in the community of around 12,000 people in the four districts selected for the initiative, 80% of which were articulated on women’s rights – The graduates and many women in the community reported that they could take decisions on personal matters independently and participate in the family decision-making process – A number of peer educators still informally disseminate messages on human rights issues in their neighbourhoods and share them with their relatives and friends. In some cases, they have provided advisory support to the victims of gender-based violence. X When the COVID-19 virus spread, the beneficiaries used remnant clothing from the training programme to make masks. IsDB shared standards for mask production with the implementing partner. Production began in March 2020 and as a result: – 2,000 masks were produced: 800 at the training centres and 1,200 by the trainees at home – 800 masks were distributed free to rickshaw pullers, garment workers, women and children in the community – Individual trainees in their own communities sold 1,200 masks – 26 trained women took up entrepreneurship to engage in mask production using their own resources – The trainees benefited from videos on CDC standards for mask production, followed necessary infection prevention measures, and produced 2-layer re-usable cloth masks – Mask-making was added to the curriculum of the implementing partner, which was beyond the project’s original plan. INVESTMENT X IsDB has approved US$ 100,000 for the Women Empowerment Programme through the Livelihood Skills Training and Human Rights Awareness Initiative. X Four training centres were established using IsDB’s funds to provide sewing machines, computers and other related equipment to create the environment needed for capacity development activities and to achieve future sustainability. X Nine job fairs were arranged, and 85 job counselling sessions were conducted. X The initiative contacted 168 local relevant private enterprises and institutions to explore job opportunities for the graduates. X The initiative mobilised additional resources, which resulted in the local government donating 9 sewing machines to the poorest of the trainees. X The graduate trainees who established their own microbusinesses received loans from their relatives and local NGOs to buy the needed equipment. X The training centres established with IsDB funds are currently used for further training beyond the life of the initiative. X This pilot initiative proved to be very successful, with high potential for further investment by IsDB for additional scale-up and replication in other districts. W O M E N E M P O W E R M E N T P R O G R A M M E IsDB has approved US$100,000 for the Women Empowerment Programme through the Livelihood Skills Training and Human Rights Awareness Initiative [ 123 ]