grants mechanism for local NGOs. 1300 Egyptian women were trained before the programme closing, 500 of whom found jobs in the formal market or started their own businesses. Four mobile units were launched that are fully equipped to provide vocational training for women in remote and disadvantaged areas who can’t make the trip to training centres.
A website was created to link the supply produced by the programme graduates to the demand of the market and employers. To ensure sustainability beyond vocational training, the programme worked on upscaling the Gender Equality Seal in the Egyptian labor market- a certification system designed to hold the private sector accountable to gender equality. For that purpose, five local factories in Sharqiya engaged in training to adopt the Gender Equality Seal and 400 Ministry workers were trained to integrate the Seal in the work of businesses they monitor and within the Ministry itself.
Carving Stone:
Under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Tharwat El Hassan, and in cooperation with UNESCO and the Jordanian Museum, UN Women launched the pilot collection “Umm El-Jimal Rock Art” on May 30. The exhibition showcased a handcrafted collection carved out of Basalt stone – a typical stone from the region. The collection was carved by The Coop Ladies of Um el Jimal District- a team of 25 Jordanian and Syrian women working for the Umm El Jimal the Women’s Association, “Jamaiyya al-Nashmiat Um el-Jimal al-Chairieh”. The team carved, designed and developed the basalt products presented during the exhibition with the coaching of the famous Jordanian designer Ms. Nadia Dajani who also supported the women in identifying a marketable product to foster their business.
The joint programme, generously funded by Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, sought to empower marginalized Jordanian and Syrian women living in the village – who, due to traditional attitudes, have limited access to economic opportunities – by creating sustainable employment and income-generating opportunities.
opportunities to grow
A woman's ability to earn a living is freedom to choose, independence and protection against expoitation.
34