A Thousand women: I am a woman I exist I participate

This project seeks to empower some of Senegal’s most vulnerable and marginalized women by increasing their active participation in the economy and in their community’s development. The project adopts the Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) approach which recognizes the knowledge and skills that women have acquired throughout their life and in their everyday work to make it easier for them to access training programs tailored to their needs. Project activities include: (1) developing and delivering technical and vocational training programs in growing sectors based on the VAE approach and tailored to the needs of some of the most vulnerable and marginalized women; (2) supporting the selected women as they develop their businesses market their products and join the workforce; (3) training the instructors directors and officers of ministries involved in gender equality so they can provide more effective support to the selected women; (4) conducting outreach advocacy and promotion activities related to the role of women in the economic and social development of communities; and (5) supporting collaboration and networking with economic associations to promote women’s participation. The project expects to benefit 1 000 vulnerable women trained in a trade and supported as agents of change in their community. Also 500 people working in the structures of partner ministries will receive training in gender equality and VAE methodology. In addition 200 000 people will be engaged and educated on the importance of the economic social and civic inclusion of some of the most vulnerable women.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased inclusion of women as social and economic development actors; and (2) increased influence of women as active citizens in their communities.