Youth Employability: Closing the Gender Gap in Youth Employment in Nicaragua

The project aims to reduce poverty and contribute to closing the gender gap in youth employment by improving the job readiness and employability of 12 000 youth including 7 200 young women. In Nicaragua youth aged 15 to 29 are disproportionately affected by unemployment. Young women face additional challenges and are more likely to work informally and under vulnerable conditions. The project employs a youth-centered model that includes: (1) providing gender sensitive technical and life-skills trainings and raising youth awareness on labour-related issues; (2) providing job search trainings and creating/strengthening networks to increase youth access to job information and/or entrepreneurship opportunities; and (3) increasing youth participation in public space and networks by fostering alliances with the private and public sectors in the search for employment. As women are under-represented in the labour market and earn significantly less than men (55% of male salaries in urban areas and 24% in rural areas) the project integrates specific actions that address gender-specific barriers in gaining and retaining employment. These actions include among others: gender-sensitive training material and methods public campaigns and awareness raising sessions for employers and raising young women’s voices in public space and networks while engaging men on gender issues.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved job readiness and employment potential of youth especially women to equally participate in inclusive and sustainable economic growth; and (2) improved delivery of gender responsive vocational training services by vocational training institutions geared towards young men and women.