250 women vendors to get skills

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The third intake skilling program that is due for mid-July targets to equip 250 women vendors with skills in bakery, tailoring, cosmetology, and catering among others.

The programme was introduced in 2017 by Gals Forum International (GAFI), a non-governmental organisation in partnership with the ministry of trade industry and cooperatives but recently, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) also joined the cause.

According to Esther Namboka, the executive director GAFI, registration desks have been set up in Nakasero, Kalerwe, Owino, Bugolobi, Nakawa and Wandegeya to help vendors get enrolled.  

The four months certificate training programme will be held at Management Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC) in Nakawa.

"Let's empower women vendors with sustainable solutions to the predisposing factors to their vulnerability in relation to circumstances under which these women in the informal economy work, the issues that present the greatest challenge to their human rights," she stated.

Namboka said the informal sector is the fastest growing sector in Uganda, accounting for over 50% of GDP, up from 43% in 2002; hence more skills are needed to enhance further growth.

"A new study conducted in Kampala shows that up to 80% of the labor force works in the informal economy and the women dominate street vending component of this sector.  This is due to the limited economic opportunities for women in both rural and urban areas, gender bias in education, poverty and lack of access to formal employment," she said.

‘High dropout rate a big challenge'

According to the press release by GAFI, a number of vendors drop out from the programme due to high transportation costs to facilitate their movements to and fro the training facility on a routine basis.

"At the organizational level, we have done this without any funding support which has limited our operations and smooth running of the programme. At the moment, we are only able to avail the training but the women have to avail themselves the materials to use and many cannot afford, reads part of the release.

Program's future plan

According to the release, women skilling programme will have two intakes in 1st and 2nd quarters will as well be expanded to districts of Bushenyi and Mbale.

"There will also be availing the women with Basic computer skills and the development of vendor mobile App. to link the vendors to a bigger clientele without necessarily being on the streets, forming a Cooperative of various women groups among other things."