New Govt programme to help women, youth launched

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

KAMPALA - As part of efforts to improve the welfare of women through providing gainful self-employment, the Government is tying the loose ends of a programme that will see over 50,000 women aged between 18 and 35 given start-up kits. 

Dubbed the Green Jobs Programme, the venture which is being co-ordinated by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development will be rolled out to other parts of the country after being piloted in Kampala, Wakiso and Jinja.

Enoch Mutambi, the skills development and employment specialist in the gender ministry, said the start-up kits will be given to women who form groups.

"This programme is aimed at creation of green and decent employment, enhancement labour productivity, and reduction of poverty. It is targeting both educated and uneducated women and youths," Mutambi said during the equipment sensitisation training.

Among the specialised equipment the Government intends to procure for the women groups include baby locks, computers, ovens, generators, haircut machines, car jet washing machines, overlock sewing machines and salon chairs.

Mutambi said the ministry has entered into contracts with vendors that will supply the equipment to train women in the use of the startup kits.

The training on Monday attracted women who have formed groups in Kampala and Wakiso area.

Janet Nabatanzi, a technocrat at the gender ministry, said over 350 women groups have been entered into the ministry database.

The training was tailored to ascertain the requirements of the groups with closer scrutiny as well as to sensitise them on the programme activities.

The Green Jobs Programme, according to Mutambi will run for five years.

The Green Jobs Programme is one of the initiatives the Government hopes will help haul women and youth — a segment that form a huge chunk of Uganda's population out of poverty.

Just like the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) under the same ministry, Green Jobs Programme is tailored to increasing the productivity of a section of the population that would most likely wallow in poverty and unemployment if left unaided.

But unlike the YPL where funds are repaid, the equipment the Government is giving to women under the Green Jobs Programme is free.

The only condition the Government has imposed is for the group members to use the equipment and not to sell it off.

Mutambi said the ministry retains the right to repossess unused equipment and dole it out to those that are willing to utilise it.