Women Empowerment Project | Faraja Rwanda

Women Empowerment Project (WEP)

Economically Empower 180 teen mothers through Leadership, SRHR, Entrepreneurship, Access to Finance, Markets and Technical Skills Development

The Women Empowerment Project (WEP) is a transformative initiative designed to economically empower 180 teen mothers in Gahanga Sector, Kigali. Implemented by Faraja Rwanda with generous funding from Cricket Builds Hope (CBH), the project provides holistic support to young mothers, enabling them to lead independent and prosperous lives.

Key Focus Areas

The program addresses multiple dimensions of empowerment by focusing on:

Leadership Development: Equipping participants with leadership skills to boost confidence and encourage active participation in community decision-making.
Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Enhancing awareness of SRHR to promote healthy lifestyles and informed decision-making.
Entrepreneurship: Providing the knowledge and tools to establish and grow small businesses.
Access to Finance and Markets: Linking participants to Voluntary Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and creating pathways to market opportunities.
Technical Skills Development: Offering hands-on training in mushroom cultivation to foster sustainable agribusiness ventures.

Program Approach

The WEP employs an innovative and integrated approach to create lasting socio-economic impacts:

Seed Funding: Financial support to kickstart small businesses.
VSLAs: Encouraging saving habits and access to microloans within supportive groups.
Business Coaching and Mentorship: Personalized guidance to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Technical Training: Comprehensive instruction in mushroom cultivation to provide an income-generating skill.
Market Linkages: Connecting young mothers with buyers and marketplaces to ensure sustainability.
Cricket Sessions: Using cricket as a medium to build teamwork, discipline, and a sense of community among participants.

Through integrating economic empowerment with personal development, the WEP transforms lives. Teen mothers gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to overcome challenges, secure decent livelihoods, and inspire change within their families and communities.

Impact

Teen mothers are supported to start businesses, coached and mentored for business success. This project is another example of Faraja Rwanda's commitment to fostering resilience and creating opportunities for vulnerable groups. Through partnerships, we continue to drive meaningful change and build a brighter future for all.

"Empowering women is not just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do. When women succeed, nations are more safe, secure and prosperous."