Gulu women undergo business training
Sep 30, 2009
A total of 1500 women have trained in business skills and functional adult literacy in Gulu district. The elderly mothers from Koro, Bobi, Bardege, Layibi, Pece and Laroo divisions, were also trained in early child-care development, computer skills and fa
By Chris Ocowun
A total of 1500 women have trained in business skills and functional adult literacy in Gulu district. The elderly mothers from Koro, Bobi, Bardege, Layibi, Pece and Laroo divisions, were also trained in early child-care development, computer skills and family planning.
The representative of the women, Benah Ayaa, 50, said leaders and development partners should focus on the economic status and the rights of women to attain education.
She said during the six-week training by Volunteer Action Network and Women Global Empowerment Fund, over 100 women groups were given loans ranging from sh500,000 to sh2m to start businesses. The loans are repayable after six months.
“We are now able to knit table-clothes, make beads, mats, handbags, tomato sauce, cooking and water pots made out of mud and sell them. This has empowered us economically because we are able to pay the school fees of our children and improve our living conditions,†Ayaa stated.
Speaking at the ‘Voice for women through drama’ competition and functional adult training at Grace Christian Academy in Gulu on Saturday, the programme director of Volunteer Action Network, Muusa Bukenya, said their aim was to promote and protect the rights of women.
“These women are now empowered and are able to start and run businesses for their own and pay fees of their children in schools,†he said.
He said the organisation had put aside sh85m to loan out to women groups. The theme of the event was ‘education, participation and business as a pillar to sustainable development for women,’
Bukenya added that they intended to extend the programme to other women groups in Gulu district to empower them economically and enable them attain education.
The district secretary for community development, Santa Oketta, appealed to the women to work hard and join the programme.
She called upon parents to ensure that their children go to school. “Let’s avoid sending our young girls to sell maize, fried groundnuts and eggs on the streets, especially at late hours, because they risk being raped,†she said.
A total of 1500 women have trained in business skills and functional adult literacy in Gulu district. The elderly mothers from Koro, Bobi, Bardege, Layibi, Pece and Laroo divisions, were also trained in early child-care development, computer skills and family planning.
The representative of the women, Benah Ayaa, 50, said leaders and development partners should focus on the economic status and the rights of women to attain education.
She said during the six-week training by Volunteer Action Network and Women Global Empowerment Fund, over 100 women groups were given loans ranging from sh500,000 to sh2m to start businesses. The loans are repayable after six months.
“We are now able to knit table-clothes, make beads, mats, handbags, tomato sauce, cooking and water pots made out of mud and sell them. This has empowered us economically because we are able to pay the school fees of our children and improve our living conditions,†Ayaa stated.
Speaking at the ‘Voice for women through drama’ competition and functional adult training at Grace Christian Academy in Gulu on Saturday, the programme director of Volunteer Action Network, Muusa Bukenya, said their aim was to promote and protect the rights of women.
“These women are now empowered and are able to start and run businesses for their own and pay fees of their children in schools,†he said.
He said the organisation had put aside sh85m to loan out to women groups. The theme of the event was ‘education, participation and business as a pillar to sustainable development for women,’
Bukenya added that they intended to extend the programme to other women groups in Gulu district to empower them economically and enable them attain education.
The district secretary for community development, Santa Oketta, appealed to the women to work hard and join the programme.
She called upon parents to ensure that their children go to school. “Let’s avoid sending our young girls to sell maize, fried groundnuts and eggs on the streets, especially at late hours, because they risk being raped,†she said.