adminH-Metro Reporter
AT least 30 survivors of early child marriages and teen mothers underwent a “Training of Trainers” skills camp through an initiative led by Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) in partnership with Oxfam.
The boot camp empowered participants with life skills for business and economic development in beauty therapy, baking, sewing and mixed gardening.
In an interview, SYS director, Ekenia Chifamba, said the programme is part of their efforts to advance gender equality and promote economic empowerment of young women and girls in Seke.
“This was a ‘train the trainer’ initiative in which graduating beneficiaries are expected to go back to their communities and roll out a community empowerment project of choice targeting 10 peer survivors per each grandaunt.
“The participants were drawn from SYS’ flagship programmes that include girls who are in and out of school and Community Development Committees (CDCs) which act as a point of contact in communities,” said Chifamba.
“Our engagement with the Department of Social Development (DSD) through our multi-stakeholder partnership has also seen participants coming through from there.”
Through the OXFAM Securing Rights Programme II initiative, SYS has managed to engage with poor and marginalised young women and girls in communities trying to address economic empowerment gaps and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Seke.
A photo exhibition gallery and award ceremony was hosted on Wednesday in honour of the 30 beneficiaries.
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