Ethiopia: Cornerstone Laid for Women Training Centre

By Meskerem Lemma

A Japan government funded, women empowerment project to establish a Garment Training Centre for women was launched with the cornerstone laid at Selam Children Village (SCV) premises yesterday. The project aims to train 80 women per year in a bid to provide them with marketable and practical garment making, entrepreneurship as well as business management skills, thus making them economically independent.

The over 98,000 USD project inception followed the January, 2014 Japan First Lady Akie Abe's visit to Ethiopia and SCV, which left a strong impression on her.

Thanking Abe for her unremitting assistance to the project, First Lady Roman Tesfaye said, the successful visit of Prime Minster Shinzō Abe to Ethiopia clearly demonstrated that the excellent friendship and solidarity between Ethiopia and Japan is making a difference in the lives of our people.

"It is clear that the majority of women in Ethiopia lack the solid understanding of business fundamentals and they do not have a business-owner mindset owing to historical legacy of inequality and discrimination," adding, therefore, "we need more and more training centres, like the one we are establishing now, to equip women with the necessary skills to start and sustain their business."

"It is my sincere hope that this centre will economically empower women as well as create viable employment opportunities to mothers who have been suffering from poverty for years."

In her congratulatory message delivered by Kazuhiro Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan, on behalf of Abe said, "Today, my husband, Prime Minster Abe, is promoting an endeavour to realize " a society in which women shine," where all women are free from violence and discrimination, and where their potential skills can fully blossom. I have a sincere wish that this Centre for which we place the cornerstone today, will help more women to 'shine' even brighter in your society."

The Ambassador also stated that, as one of a series of projects for women empowerment, the Embassy of Japan has also decided to provide over 90,000 USD for a project to train marginalized women in leather production under the Centre for Accelerated Women Economic Empowerment (CAWEE).

Sebelwongel Belachew, Deputy Director of SCV on her part said, this short term garment making training targeted to assist underprivileged women and women who are living with HIV/AIDS, in Yeka Sub-city. "In general the one year Project is believed to benefit about 400 target beneficiaries and thus, at least five family members will become economically independent."

According to her, at the end of the training, the women will be given the choice of securing employment or starting their own business. "For those who are interested to start their own business, the Organization will connect them with Micro and Small Business Enterprises (MSEs) to the local authority to get start up loan. "

The construction of the Centre is expected to be completed in 45 days, said Engineer Betel Negussie.

The Japan's Grant for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGP) was first introduced in 1989 in Ethiopia. Since 1997,over 340 projects,estimated at 27 mln Birr have been implemented in sectors such as education, water supply, health and other basic human needs.

Source: Allafrica