Young women and girls in Ethiopia are often stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty and social disadvantage. Limited economic and livelihood opportunities have led to an increase in youth migration to urban centres. The economic growth there certainly offers new opportunities - but not for young women who are barely literate or have dropped out of school early. They find only low-paid jobs or no work at all. At the same time, they are left without family support and assistance. This makes them particularly vulnerable to all kinds of exploitation and pressure.
The UP Women project provides these young women with the necessary know-how and self-confidence for a successful (professional) life. It enables 3500 women between the ages of 18 and 24 to undergo practical training in promising professions and thus enter the labour market. Another 1500 girls aged 16-17 improve their literacy and numeracy skills so that they are well prepared for vocational training. The combination of theoretical and practical skills as well as learning important soft skills helps the young women to escape the poverty trap of "no qualification - no job - no income" and to lead a self-determined and dignified life.
In addition, the project aims to improve the entire vocational training system so that many more young women can improve their chances of a financially independent life. That is why UP Women works with vocational training authorities, training providers as well as the private sector, which can adopt the project's teaching methods and curricula and develop further training courses.
Learn more about Helvetas in Äthiopien and UP Women.