Colleges and Institutes Canada

Published purpose

This project contributes to improved economic participation by women and adolescent girls in Tanzania. It works with folk development colleges (FDCs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to increase rates of participation of women and adolescent girls in skills training programs, improve access to business, skills and gender and human rights training in their communities, and expand opportunities in the informal and formal sectors through post-training support to transition to employment or self-employment. Project activities include: (1) building the capacity of FDCs and CBOs to develop and deliver gender-responsive programs; (2) providing gender training to partner staff and volunteers and establishing a gender champions network; (3) revising program content and teaching methods to better integrate gender considerations and ensure appropriate support services and facilities for women and adolescent girl students, especially young mothers; and (4) engaging local communities in awareness-raising activities on the benefits of women’s education and economic empowerment to encourage enrollment and create an enabling environment for women graduates. The project will be implemented in collaboration with Tanzania’s Department for Vocational Education and Training, and through partnerships established between select Canadian colleges and institutions and 12 Tanzania FDCs. In addition, 12 local CBOs will be chosen to identify skills sectors for short programs, work with project gender specialists to design and deliver training, establish post-training support networks and facilitate connections to financing organizations, and connect women graduates with mentors.