Project Description

Funded by: UNIDO

Timeline: November 2016 – December 2016

WRO will provide vocational training for refugee and IDP women residing in the Baharka District, a non-camp location. The courses in sewing and hairdressing will be 1 month in duration, 5 days a week, 2 hours a day. By providing vocational classes WRO aims to help women develop their professional capacity, thus improving their chances of securing future employment and empowering themselves economically.

Project Outcomes/Achievements:

  • 140 female IDP and refugee beneficiaries participated in and graduated from the vocational training program in sewing and hairdressing courses.
  • The 70 sewing participants (25 refugees & 45 IDPs) learned about sewing machine and maintenance, designing, tailoring and complete seam stressing, the women learned how to make traditional Kurdish clothes and tailor modern clothing. The 70 hairdressing participants (21 refugees & 49 IDPs) acquired skills relating to hairdressing, coloring, styling, cosmetics, and basic salon services.
  • Both course 140 participants (46 refugees & 94 IDPs) received information on market and income generations opportunities and how they can apply their newly acquired skills to gainful economic employment.
  • A celebration event was held at the centre to celebrate finishing the VTC courses, getting the certificates and the start up kits, including traditional dancing. Snacks and refreshments were supplied by WRO.

The training provided livelihood and immediate income support to host communities, internally displaced persons (IDP) and returnees located in Baharka promoting stability, community cohesion, economic empowerment and reconstruction support for communities affected by the conflict in Iraq. The training was designed for the socio-economic and cultural context of the beneficiaries in Baharka, as well as the selection process was done in conjunction with UNIDO.