Archive for category: Women’s Empowerment

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Psychology of Hair: Female Empowerment in African Hair Salons

African Hair SalonsWithin the female-oriented walls of a hair salon, women receive treatment with kindness, respect and a sense of belonging that they seldom find elsewhere. The rapport and understanding between stylist and client go further than just beautification. Nowhere is this more true than across Africa, where hair salons become places for socially disadvantaged women to regain their quality of life. Increasingly, these spaces are also becoming hubs for new initiatives around mental and sexual health, reflecting a growing emphasis on female empowerment in African hair salons.

Hair Salons as Mental Health Care

Whether it is their subordinated social, political and economic status, or the threats of domestic violence, sexual assault and harmful traditional practices that still permeate many African cultures, women bear a heavy burden in African society. To add to this, Women make up 80% of the 12.7 million refugees and asylum seekers forcibly displaced from West and Central Africa every year.

The lack of safe institutional spaces and the scarcity of mental health professionals further exacerbate this multifaceted gender oppression. These subordinated women are often unable to seek support in wider, male-dominated society. As a result, many remain both vulnerable and powerless in society.

Recognizing the strong tendency for women to casually open up to their hairdresser, humanitarian organizations have begun training stylists in delivering mental health support – particularly for women who may use the salon as their first port of call in a crisis.

Learning New Skills

Hairstylists universally hold a unique caregiving position in society that cannot be easily replicated. In accordance, the Heal by Hair program, active across Togo, aims to equip these workers with skills in active listening, recognizing emotional distress and delivering psychological first aid. Delivering training sessions across three days and receiving nearly 250 applications, the program successfully trained stylists to become the first hairdresser mental health ambassadors on the African Continent. The initiative allows both for stylists to conduct risk assessments and refer clients to professional services and for these women to take control of their own mental health through access to resources.

Perhaps it is the connection that forms through sharing eye contact in the mirror, the comfort of talking to someone outside their inner circle, or the hours of idle time to be filled with conversation – but something about hair salons makes people want to talk. By reshaping the vulnerable conversations that naturally occur in African hair salons into therapeutic and healing dialogues, this augmentation of female empowerment offers an outlet and camaraderie which ultimately reshape the lives of young women.

Hair Salons as Sexual Health Care

For many African women, seeking sexual health support at a clinic is difficult because of fears of being dismissal, stigma or exposure – not to mention challenges around cost and distance. As a result, they often have limited access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, leading to higher rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe terminations and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

This risk is avoidable. Acknowledging the accessibility and trustworthiness of African hair salons has helped shift the way of delivering SRH services. Their informal, familiar environments make salons ideal spaces for women to discuss and receive sexual health care safely and without judgement.

Across southern Africa, salons have started training stylists to deliver STI testing, hormonal and injectable contraceptives and HIV prevention medications – all from the salon floor.

Stylists also learn how to deliver education and counselling to young girls, offering them autonomy to make informed choices about their bodies. This sense of female empowerment in African hair salons can be carried through to real-world scenarios, and is often the key factor in improving their futures. In turn, such initatives prevent socioeconomic consequences of unsafe sexual practices, such as school dropout and generational poverty.

Safe Spaces

Salons become both literal and symbolic safe spaces, an everyday space which encompasses many of their needs. These initiatives have gained momentum across several African countries and even attracted attention from major publications such as Vogue and Elle, affirming that this focus on female empowerment in African hair salons is revolutionary in regard to women’s health. Amongst women who share similar stories and struggles, women forge chosen families rooted in empathy and mutual support, empowering them to find strength in one another to face an uncertain future.

– Emily Wooster

Emily is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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TEGAs: Empowering with The Girl Effect Program

TEGAsThe Girl Effect program reaches millions of girls in 20 countries across Africa and Asia, using multimedia approaches to give them the tools, knowledge and confidence to take control of their health, education and livelihoods. In a conversation with Authority Magazine, Jessica Posner Odede, CEO of Girl Effect, emphasized that the program works by meeting young girls where they already are: online. Using media and technology to deliver content they want and trust, Posner Odede said, “We create safe spaces for girls — sharing facts, and answering questions about health, nutrition, education, relationships and so much more.”

Providing Space for Girls

The Girl Effect Program provides spaces where girls can ask questions and obtain accurate information–without shame or possibly dangerous scrutiny from those around them. One of the program’s most innovative tools is its AI-powered chatbot, Big Sis, in South Africa. Big Sis acts as a virtual big sister, responding instantly and privately to questions about sex, relationships and health. Posner Odede said, “By using chat technology, we’ve created this ‘virtual big sister’ that can respond to every girl instantly and privately.” Since its launch, more than 75,000 girls have started chats with Big Sis and sent over 1.3 million messages. Data shows that after advice from Big Sis, 76% of girls intend to access a health service before starting a new relationship, a figure that is 12% higher than among girls who have not used it.

Following the success of Big Sis, the Girl Effect program expanded to India with Bol Behen (a phrase that means “Speak! Sister” in Hindi), a chatbot that communicates in Hinglish. Posner Odede explained, “Girls sometimes feel more comfortable talking to a robot, because they are not afraid of being judged. In other words, they feel empowered to ask questions around topics that might be considered explicit elsewhere.” Within two years, Bol Behen facilitated 98,000 conversations and 1.6 million messages, increasing users’ knowledge of sexual health by an average of 15% compared to non-users.

TEGAs

The Girl Effect program also relies on networks of Tech-Enabled Girl Ambassadors (TEGAs) aged 18–24, who collect real-time insights from their communities using mobile tools. During the pandemic, when face-to-face research became impossible, 29 TEGAs in six countries participated in Hear Her Voice, a program wherein they documented their realities and recommendations for Girl Effect through digital diaries.

Posner Odede expanded, “The pandemic made face-to-face research impossible, so we ran a project called Hear Her Voice where TEGAs shared digital diaries with us — turning the camera on themselves to document their reality, resilience and recommendations for the support they needed.” This approach allowed the program to respond quickly to emerging challenges and ensured that the girls themselves shaped ongoing programming.

One TEGA, Rahma from Tanzania, exemplifies the impact of the program. Through the program, Rahma launched a liquid soap business, learned skills online and created income for her household. Posner Odede shared, “Rahma is using technology to start her own business and take control of her livelihood. She thinks the community should see a girl as a person with power, because that is the way she sees herself.” Through the program, Rahma launched a liquid soap business, learned skills online and created income for her household–all with the power of the internet.

Adapting Programs to Local Contexts

Media and entertainment form another core component of the Girl Effect program. TV dramas, radio shows, magazines and digital content deliver lessons on health, relationships and education. Posner Odede explained that the program adapts content to local contexts and challenges harmful societal myths. One such ‘myth’ was misinformation about vaccines, including the HPV vaccines.

“We have been using knowledge and insight gained from our work with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Malawi and Tanzania — where we used our TV dramas, radio shows, magazines and digital content to improve girls’ knowledge about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer, including challenging myths about it — as the foundation of our approach to tackle misinformation around vaccine hesitancy when it comes to COVID-19.”

Partnerships like the one with Gavi strengthen the program’s impact. Posner Odede emphasized the importance of working with organizations that share their goals: “We are really lucky to have partnered with a host of such organizations, such as Vodafone Foundation.” Such collaborations allow the program to expand its digital infrastructure and further ensure safe, secure and scalable spaces for girls.

Learning New Skills

In providing these online safe spaces, the Girl Effect program seeks to enable girls to enact change in their real communities. Posner Odede described how the initiative arms girls with skills to negotiate and challenge societal norms: “Do not underestimate the power of girls to change both their own lives, and the lives of those around them. At Girl Effect, we arm girls with the skills to negotiate and redefine what they are told is possible ‘for a girl’.”

Posner Odede articulated the program’s ultimate goal: “It would have to be realizing gender equality in every aspect of girls and women’s lives. This is Girl Effect’s key aim and we are proud to be working towards it.” Through its integrated approach of media, technology, research and community engagement, the Girl Effect Program works hard to address the complex challenges facing girls in poverty, from gender inequality and health misinformation to limited access to education and economic opportunity.

The Future

As the Girl Effect Program and the network of TEGAs expand across Africa and Asia, it provides a scalable and reproducible model for empowering girls while strengthening communities. Posner Odede concluded, “We know that when a girl unlocks her power to make different choices that change her life, it inspires others to do so too. She starts a ripple effect that impacts her family, her community, her country.” The Girl Effect program demonstrates that supporting girls is not only a matter of creating equity, but a strategic investment in the well-being of our global society.

– Kelsey Eisen

Kelsey is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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BC Sakhi in India: Women Bringing Banking to Rural Doorsteps

BC Sakhi in IndiaAfter years of rapid digitalization, even coming across someone without a bank account has become an extremely rare sight for almost anyone today. However, this was far from reality for rural India just a decade ago, where, until 2014, only 35% of adults had an account with a financial institution, leaving millions excluded from formal banking.

This severe gap was not merely impractical, but resulted in a perpetual cycle of debt for many. Local moneylenders in rural India often charge high interest rates to exploit villagers with little to no knowledge of or access to formal credit and banking.

The Launch of BC Sakhi in India

2020 marked the start of something that completely reshaped a harsh reality for many rural Indians. Over the past five years, the Bank Correspondent (BC) Sakhi initiative has been dedicated to bridging this gap that leads to exploitation, going door-to-door to bring India closer to true financial freedom.

Launched by the Indian government under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), the BC Sakhi (friend) initiative aims to appoint at least one female banking correspondent for every Gram Panchayat (village council). Women from self-help groups are recruited and provided with extensive vocational training to be on the frontlines of financial inclusion, interacting with villagers to transform financial management.

These women take on roles ranging from raising financial literacy to opening bank accounts and linking villagers with credible institutions that offer credit, savings and government benefit transfers.

A Community-Centered Approach

The initiative adopts a tailored approach to overcome connectivity barriers—historically a major reason for access gaps in villages. Women within the community, often from underprivileged backgrounds and needing employment, are brought into the program. This enables them to secure a stable income to support their families while gaining vocational skills that help them advance in their careers.

Technology as a Tool for Inclusion

A door-to-door approach, while fruitful, created challenges of efficiency that needed to be resolved to speed up progress for villagers. As of 2022, only 37% of rural Indians were aware of or claimed to have used digital banking. Reflecting on this trend, the initiative tapped into an underutilized resource with great potential to transform banking for rural Indians—technology. Digital tools to accelerate adoption include: 

  1. Aadhaar-enabled payment systems: Bank accounts were linked to government IDs, allowing the use of biometrics to approve deposits and withdrawals.
  2. Micro-ATMs: To eliminate the need for a traditional branch, low-cost handheld devices enabled women correspondents to carry out common transactions at the doorstep, including extending small loans to informal workers.

Banking on Women’s Empowerment

While serving the rural population, the initiative also empowers rural women in all aspects of life. By stepping into the role of a BC Sakhis, women gain access to:

  1. Income Generation: By earning commissions on transactions and service fees, BC Sakhis can generate supplemental income.
  2. Skill Development: All correspondents receive free or heavily subsidized training in digital tools, financial services and soft skills such as customer service and communication.
  3. Social Status: While acting as facilitators between villagers and banks, Sakhis gain confidence and respect within their communities. Government-led impact studies have shown increased confidence levels among women who work with the initiative.

The initiative has already trained more than 50,000 women to serve as links between rural Indians and formal banking. By adopting a community-centered approach, the program has contributed to positive change toward reducing both financial insecurity and social marginalization of women. As more villages continue to be linked to correspondents under the scheme, BC Sakhi in India is set to remain a cornerstone of the nation’s journey to complete financial inclusion.

– Anahadhbir Singh

Anahadhbir is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Women’s Empowerment in Rwanda is Driving Poverty Reduction

Women’s Empowerment in RwandaWomen in Rwanda have played a pivotal role in improving the country. Their influence and policies have shown how women’s empowerment in Rwanda can reshape a nation’s social and economic landscape. With 63.8% of seats in the Chamber of Deputies held by women, the highest proportion in the world, the country has translated political representation into concrete policies that reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for all.

Increasing Exports

Almost 70% of Rwandan women work in agriculture and the practice covers a third of GDP and accounts for nearly half of all export revenues. Therefore, empowering female farmers in Rwanda is pivotal to increasing the economy. The World Food Programme (WFP) and partners have introduced various initiatives to help reduce gender inequalities, improve food security and support potential female leaders. Farmers are now being taught entrepreneurial skills such as public speaking and governing, as well as innovative farming techniques such as grafting, market access and contract negotiation.

Another major export that Rwanda relies on is coffee. With 400,000 rural smallholder families engaged in production, coffee remains a cornerstone crop in Rwanda. Among the key actors is the Twongere Umusaruro Cooperative (TUK), which works closely with the Relationship Coffee Institute (RCI). Founded in 2013, RCI aims to transform the lives of rural, low-income women coffee farmers by providing training and access to markets. Initially working with 4,000 women, the organization has since expanded to support more than 30,000 coffee growers.

Additional Women’s Centers

Rwanda has established several women’s centers to address gender-based violence, inequality and discrimination, while promoting economic empowerment. Access to justice has improved nationwide, with eight centers providing comprehensive services to survivors of gender-based violence.

Furthermore, Women for Women Rwanda’s program has reached more than 80,000 women, providing training, mentorship and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods. The organization also works with men through the Men’s Engagement Program (MEP).

Using a “training the trainer” approach, local leaders teach men about women’s rights and gender equality, encouraging them to influence others and create environments where women can reach their full potential. In 2023 alone, 920 men completed the MEP.

Improving Women’s Financial Inclusion

Women in Rwanda are more likely to struggle financially. They face higher unemployment rates and men still hold most managerial positions. To address this, the government has implemented the “Gender Equality Seal” program. If the government deems that a company supports women as much as men, it receives this title and additional benefits. As a result, women’s financial situations have improved, with access to financial products increasing by 11%.

Additionally, the Joint Programme on Accelerating Progress Toward the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women (JP RWEE) works across Africa, including Rwanda and is currently in its second phase. The program focuses on strengthening rural women’s access to finance and ensuring the lasting impact of their knowledge and skills.

Better Health Care

Rwanda has made significant strides in health care for women and children through innovation, technology and targeted interventions. The Rwanda Health Information System (RHIS) has made collecting and managing health data far more efficient. Furthermore, drones have greatly improved medical delivery time, particularly to remote areas.

The RapidSMS program sends pregnant women free text messages with health information, appointment reminders and alerts to health facilities about danger signs in their communities. These innovations have accumulated a global record in reducing maternal mortality. To maintain this progress, Rwanda has introduced maternal death audits, which investigate each case and recommend measures to prevent future fatalities.

Moreover, life expectancy for women in Rwanda has risen to 72 years. Around 97% receive antenatal care and more than 64% of married women use some form of birth control. Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services are available in 85% of health facilities, effectively eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission. The government also plans to achieve 100% access to drinking water and electricity, with no significant gender disparities, further supporting women’s health and well-being.

Accessible Education

Rwanda has achieved universal education. Primary education is free and compulsory, with girls’ enrollment in primary school currently standing at 98%. Government programs have led to a more comfortable environment for girls. These include school feeding programs, 12 years of basic education and gender-friendly school environments. As a result, girls’ enrollment in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects has risen considerably.

Prior to current initiatives, period poverty forced young women in Rwanda to stay at home. The government introduced Icyumba Cy’umukobwa (The Girls’ Room) to address the issue. These rooms provide a safe space for menstruating girls, offering free sanitary products, beds, pain relief and towels. Experienced female advisors support girls in navigating the challenges of menstruation. Furthermore, Rwanda also removed VAT on sanitary products as a nationwide initiative, continuing the fight to end period poverty for all.

Conclusion

Rwanda’s experience demonstrates that empowering women is a matter of social justice and a powerful driver of national development. From political representation and economic participation to education, health care and social initiatives, women’s empowerment has tangibly reduced poverty, increased productivity and improved quality of life across Rwanda. Women in Rwanda are proving their value and showcasing how sustainable development is inseparable from gender equality. Investing in women is investing in the future of the nation.

– Lysia Wright

Lysia is based in Derby, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Economic Empowerment in Southeast Asia

Women’s Economic Empowerment in Southeast AsiaAcross rural areas of Southeast Asia, self-managed rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) are transforming the economic landscape for women in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. These community savings and loan groups, built on mutual trust and cooperation, enable women who often lack access to formal banking systems to pool resources, gain capital and invest in small businesses. The ripple effects on household poverty reduction, social capital formation and rural economic diversification are profound, providing a grassroots model for women’s empowerment and inclusive development.

Women’s Economic Empowerment in Southeast Asia

ROSCAs are informal financial groups where members regularly contribute a fixed amount of money into a common fund. This fund is then rotated among members, granting each person access to a lump sum during their turn. Unlike traditional banks, these groups rely on social trust rather than collateral or credit scores, making them especially accessible for women in rural communities where formal financial institutions often exclude them. 

In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, for example, women farmers participate in ROSCAs to finance agricultural inputs or start small trade ventures. In Cambodia’s Kampong Cham province, these groups help women fund home-based businesses such as weaving or food production. Myanmar’s Chin State has seen women use ROSCA funds to diversify income by investing in poultry or tailoring.

Impact on Poverty and Social Capital

The benefits extend beyond just access to capital. By participating in ROSCAs, women build networks of mutual support and accountability that foster social cohesion. This social capital can be as valuable as the financial resources, encouraging collective problem-solving and resilience in the face of economic shocks.

Studies from the region indicate that households involved in community savings groups experience greater financial stability and reduced vulnerability to poverty. The ability to invest in income-generating activities directly improves livelihoods, while the collaborative nature of these groups enhances women’s confidence and decision-making power within their families and communities.

Driving Rural Economic Diversification

ROSCAs also contribute to broader rural economic diversification. By enabling women to access credit and manage savings, these groups help shift economies away from single-commodity dependence toward a wider variety of small-scale enterprises. This diversification is critical in mitigating risks associated with agricultural price volatility and climate change impacts.

In Cambodia, some ROSCAs have expanded to include group lending and microinsurance schemes. This allows members to pool risks and protect against crop failure or health emergencies. Such innovations demonstrate the potential for ROSCAs to evolve into more complex financial ecosystems tailored to local needs.

Best Practices and Policy Recommendations

Policymakers and development agencies can strengthen the impact of ROSCAs by considering the following:

  • Capacity Building. Provide training on financial literacy and group management to strengthen sustainability.
  • Legal Recognition. Create supportive regulatory frameworks that recognize and protect informal savings groups.
  • Linkages with Formal Finance. Facilitate partnerships between ROSCAs and microfinance institutions or banks to expand access to credit.
  • Inclusive Participation. Promote gender equity and inclusion of marginalized women to ensure broad community benefits.

Governments in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar are increasingly recognizing the importance of grassroots financial mechanisms. Integrating ROSCAs into national poverty alleviation strategies could unlock significant progress toward economic empowerment and poverty reduction.

Looking Ahead

Community savings and loan groups exemplify how local solutions can address systemic barriers and advance women’s economic empowerment in Southeast Asia. By harnessing the power of collective action and social trust, ROSCAs offer a scalable, culturally appropriate path toward financial inclusion. Supporting these groups through policy, capacity building and access to formal financial systems will be vital to sustaining their impact. In a region where millions of women remain financially excluded, grassroots savings associations are not just a means of survival; they are engines of empowerment, transforming lives and communities one cycle at a time.

– De’Marlo Gray

De’Marlo is based in Long Beach, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Empowering Liberia’s Women: Socio-Economic Equality in Liberia

Empowering Liberia's WomenIn Liberia, women earn 15% less than men. Yet they are vital and form the backbone of Liberian society. Women play an important role in agriculture and informal markets and own 55% of enterprises. Yet their enterprises are small, less established than those of men and less than 5% of women have formal sector jobs. This means that women are important contributors to the Liberian economy but face significant and ongoing socio-economic inequalities that hinder their potential, sustainable income, and financial equality.

Liberia’s Women Project, Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Women Empowerment Forum are three initiatives that are bridging the socio-economic gap and empowering women through technology, training, and programmes designed to increase their financial rights and advocate for change. These initiatives not only empower Liberia’s women but also pave the way for a flourishing and equitable nation.

Liberia’s Women Empowerment Project

Liberia’s Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) utilizes a community-driven and multi-sectoral approach, which has impacted 498 communities across six counties in Liberia. Its strategy involves individual and group-based, income-generating activities such as business training, credit and saving groups and life skills programmes for more gender inclusive training. Most importantly, the project empowers Liberia’s women by teaching them how to increase their confidence and develop sustainable and resilient livelihoods. By strengthening their voices and agency, women become leaders as they engage in household and community decision-making.

Alongside the educational part of the project, it also mobilizes communities and helps change attitudes surrounding women’s socio-economic engagement which is how prejudices start to dismantle.

Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment

Digital Inclusion for Women’s Economic Empowerment focuses on the economic challenges women in rural areas face. Led by U.N. Women, alongside various NGOs, the initiative uses technology to improve financial inclusion and entrepreneurial opportunities for women.

Women in remote areas experience greater economic inequalities than women in urban areas, often only being engaged in subsistence farming that has limited opportunities for increasing business or accessing broader markets. The digital platform Buy from Women connects women to wider markets beyond their area.

Since the launch in 2022, more than 3,000 women have had an income increase through better access to markets powered by the Buy from Women platform. Besides broader market access, women learn about financial literacy and have more growing opportunities to carry out secure transactions and oversee their businesses, income and job opportunities.

Women Empowerment Forum Liberia

Women Empowerment Forum (WEF) enables women across Liberia to become active and influential voices in their communities. The economic empowerment program includes microfinance and entrepreneurship training to assist women in starting businesses. Vocational training workshops provide instructions and discussions on market-driven trades, which women can participate in.

Additionally, community engagement focuses on leadership training where women can practise and engage in local development issues, rights, and opportunities hosted by community forums and workshops. Not only are women taught strategic and confidence-building techniques, but they also have the chance to apply them. Alongside their financial literacy, women can put these into practice in real-life scenarios, while learning about opportunities involving entrepreneurship and business.

This holistic approach empowers women on an individual level but also builds social cohesion and economic stability. WEF has impacted several regions, alongside their increasing partnerships with local and international stakeholders. These initiatives and collaborations have made them a contributing force in Liberia’s path to gender equality.

Empowering Liberia’s Women

All three initiatives adopt a multifaceted approach to break down gender inequalities and build a more equal and prosperous future for women’s socio-economic opportunities in Liberia. By addressing the various hardships women face, from being in remote regions to having their voices suppressed or lacking access to financial literacy information, these initiatives have developed sustainable solutions. At the core, they have raised women’s voices and encouraged women to become leaders of change, self-sufficiency and empowerment in Liberia.

– Jule Riemenschneider

Jule is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Vocational Education in Mexico

Vocational Education in MexicoVocational education and training (VET) centers play a critical role in building the skilled workforce in Mexico. These centers help students and workers gain technical knowledge that adapts to the rapidly changing global economy. Beyond improving job opportunities, investments in VET directly contribute to poverty reduction by increasing employability, raising household incomes and creating more equitable access to education.

While challenges remain, efforts from organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the National Institute for Standardization and Certification of Labor Competencies (CONOCER) and German cooperation through Sparkassenstiftung show how VET centers are reducing barriers, especially for women. These initiatives are also creating new pathways out of poverty.

Skill Gaps in Mexico’s Workforce

Flexibility, adaptability and technical skills are key to Mexico’s vocational training programs. In the past, government-driven policies often limited the scope of workers’ training, restricting them to narrow skills tied to specific industries. This prevented workers from finding higher-paying jobs and slowed the country’s ability to meet global market demands. Today, VET centers address these gaps by equipping workers with diverse, transferable skills.

There is still a gender gap in vocational education enrollment. Social barriers and perceptions that technical training is “not for women” create unequal access to opportunities. Encouraging women’s participation strengthens the labor force, increases household incomes and promotes social equality.

Solutions Driving Change

During the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) reforms, Mexico’s certification system shifted from rigid government-imposed curricula to training models supported by companies and industries. This change expanded access to certifications and improved job placement opportunities by making training more relevant to labor market needs.

Expanding the Dual Vocational System

German development organizations such as GIZ are collaborating with Mexican schools to expand dual VET programs. These combine classroom instruction with workplace training, giving students both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Sparkassenstiftung reports that thousands of young Mexicans have already been trained through this system. Benefits include higher employment rates and stronger partnerships between schools and employers.

The Impact of VET Centers in Mexico

  • They prepare the workforce to compete globally.
  • They provide jobs that strengthen economic stability and equality.
  • Partnerships with global organizations help reduce poverty and mobilize Mexico’s economy.

Mexico has more than 2,500 institutions dedicated to higher education, with approximately 20% of lower secondary students enrolled in VET pathways. By expanding access and making training more inclusive, VET centers are becoming a powerful tool in reducing poverty and improving social mobility.

Conclusion

Vocational education and training centers in Mexico are more than just schools. They are engines of economic growth and social progress. By investing in VET, Mexico is not only building a skilled, adaptable and inclusive workforce but also creating a long-term pathway to poverty reduction. Each investment in VET translates into more opportunities for employment, higher wages and a stronger safety net for vulnerable communities.

These programs prepare students for today’s labor market while giving them the resilience to thrive in tomorrow’s global economy, ensuring that progress reaches families across the country.

– Miranda Yacynych

Miranda is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Roshaneh Zafar Built a Feminist Microfinance Empire

Roshaneh ZafarContrary to popular belief, debt can play an important role in building wealth and enabling upward mobility. When non-usurious, it provides access to education or the startup funds needed to launch new businesses. In the United States, the average small business loan is $458,497. However, in many parts of Asia and the developing world, the loan amount can be small and still have a massive impact.

Microloans can range from $50 to about $50,000. They primarily target underfunded groups, such as women and rural communities. There is ongoing debate about the effectiveness of microloans and as with any system, some bad actors attempt to misuse them. Nevertheless, they currently remain one of the more ethical ways to provide capital to underserved communities.

The gender pay gap is entrenched in the world’s economy. Nowhere is this more true than in Pakistan. Pakistan currently ranks last in overall gender parity.

About Roshaneh Zafar 

Roshaneh Zafar is a Wharton-educated social entrepreneur who helped build a microfinance empire in Pakistan. While Zafar may not have humble origins, she strives to empower women across Pakistan through her work. After earning her graduate degree from Wharton, Zafar worked on Wall Street. However, she became disillusioned with the social impact of investment banking.

She transitioned to social development at the World Bank, where her work against poverty began. Eventually, she would come in contact with Muhammad Yunus, the founder of microfinance and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Following in his footsteps, she would ignore naysayers and go on to start the microfinance empire known as the Kashf Foundation.

The Kashf Foundation

The Kashf Foundation is a Pakistan-based organization that strives to counter gender inequality in one of the most stratified nations in the world. It aims to bring financial tools, such as microfinance and microinsurance, to female entrepreneurs throughout Pakistan. Access to these tools is just the beginning, as proper education and management are crucial to the success of any company. The Kashf Foundation offers “capacity building,” educational programs that build the skills necessary for operating and growing a business.

Initially, the Kashf Foundation mimicked many of the practices of Yunus’ Grameen Bank. However, since its formation in 1996, the foundation has become a microfinance empire in its own right. Different populations require different solutions. Many told Zafar that microfinance would never work in Pakistan. As of August 2024, the Kashf Foundation has a staff of 4,500 people.

It has worked with more than seven million micro-entrepreneurs and provided almost $1 billion in financing. Not only is the Kashf Foundation a microfinance institution, but it also uses media to raise awareness about social issues in Pakistan. Its television series “Udaari,” focusing on child sexual exploitation, was named one of the most popular programs in 2016.

Final Remarks

The Kashf Foundation and Zafar have received numerous awards, including the Mehergarh Award for Leaders of Change and the COVID-19 Action Award. Their impact extends beyond their own employees. Rizwana Bibi, a Kashf client, won the N-Peace Award in 2016 for her community work in female empowerment.

– Patrick Feeney

Patrick is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Relieving Poverty in Tunisia Through the AMEN Program

Poverty in TunisiaTunisia, a country in northern Africa, supports those experiencing multidimensional poverty through its AMEN social program. Those eligible receive monthly cash transfers and an additional stipend for families with school-aged children to offset the costs of school supplies. AMEN was established in 2019 with the assistance of the World Bank and Tunisia’s Ministry of Social Affairs.

What Does the AMEN Money Go Toward?

AMEN targets poverty in Tunisia through transferring money to its most vulnerable citizens. More than 333,000 households currently receive these cash transfers. Multidimensional poverty levels determine eligibility. In other words, income is not the only factor; access to health services, education and housing is also considered.

Free or subsidized health care is also offered through AMEN. About 620,000 people receive subsidized health care in addition to those receiving free health care. Accessible health care is one of the many ways AMEN goes beyond a “poverty relief” program; it invests in Tunisian’s health and futures to target inequality.

The economy has suffered greatly since the spread of COVID-19 in 2020. Economic growth was at 0% in 2023 and 1.4% in 2024. Unemployment rates reached 16% in 2024, which is quite high. During the pandemic, AMEN provided temporary money transfers to 900,000 households to help families stay afloat.

Empowering Women Through Financial Freedom

Women are often some of the most vulnerable in a population, particularly in low-income areas and those in traditional households who may depend on men to provide financially. AMEN provides opportunities for single women or those whose husbands can no longer work due to illness, death, imprisonment or any other factor.

Mothers no longer have to stress about feeding their children or keeping the household running with AMEN. Women make up more than 50% of households that receive cash transfers. The peace of mind that can only come from financial freedom is invaluable and a necessary step in breaking generational cycles of poverty and inequality.

Sponsoring Children’s Education

Poverty in Tunisia directly affects a child’s ability to attend and excel in school. School supplies can be expensive, an extra cost that families can’t afford. In other circumstances, some low-income families do not prioritize education for their children; instead, they expect them to help earn money for the family instead of attending classes.

AMEN recognizes the importance of education and supports children’s learning through their stipends. One hundred forty-eight thousand children are currently supported by AMEN and encouraged to go to school through the $10 per month stipend.

Moving Forward

AMEN seeks to improve its ability to help those experiencing poverty in Tunisia by revising its systems to determine who is eligible for the program. Ongoing research to strengthen knowledge around social protection is also being done. Continuing to improve AMEN will undoubtedly increase the quality of life for these individuals.

– Sydney Uhl

Sydney is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Free Schooling in Sierra Leone Is Keeping Girls in Class

Free Schooling in Sierra LeoneFree schooling in Sierra Leone began in 2018 and is removing cost barriers so more girls can enroll and stay in school. By abolishing tuition and admission fees in government-approved schools, the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) program makes classrooms more accessible for low-income families.

How Free Schooling in Sierra Leone Works

Launched in August 2018, FQSE covers admission and tuition for primary through senior secondary in government-approved schools. The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) implemented FQSE alongside a World Bank–supported Free Education Project that strengthens system management, teaching practices and learning conditions.

To reduce the everyday barriers that keep girls home, the government and its partners are expanding school meals and other support. In 2023, WFP provided meals to 238,000 pupils in five districts and expanded its home-grown school feeding from 28,000 to 53,000 in early 2024.

The Ministry of Finance has also transferred funds to local councils to operate FQSE school bus services, easing family transport costs. Budget documents further note resources for school feeding and hygiene pads for girls to support attendance.

What’s Changing for Girls

Enrollment has surged since FQSE. UNICEF’s 2024 Situation Analysis reports a 58% increase in enrollment across all levels since the program began. By 2022, gross enrollment rates (GER) were high across primary (157%), junior secondary (106%) and senior secondary (86%). Girls’ GER was higher than boys’ at all levels—a sign that policy shifts are bringing girls into classrooms.

Completion and transition rates are improving. UNICEF reports current completion levels of 64% in primary, 44% in junior secondary and 22% in senior secondary—baseline figures that FQSE and allied programs aim to raise.

Keeping girls in school also means putting enough trained adults before each class. The 2023 and 2024 Annual School Censuses counted 90,073 and 91,224 teachers, respectively (78,325 in public schools in 2024), reflecting growth in the workforce. Furthermore, the World Bank-supported reforms are making teacher deployment more evidence-based, guiding where new hires go to reduce overcrowding.

After lifting its ban on visibly pregnant girls attending school, Sierra Leone took a major step toward expanding access to education. It adopted a National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools to ensure marginalized learners—pregnant girls, young mothers and children with disabilities—remain in class.

Why This Adds Up

Free schooling in Sierra Leone is removing fees, feeding students, getting them to school and staffing classrooms—the mix that keeps girls learning. Indeed, with enrollment surging and girls’ participation now meeting or exceeding boys’, the next step is turning time in school into strong learning outcomes through continued teacher support and inclusive policies. Ultimately, free schooling in Sierra Leone keeps girls in class today, positioning them for better jobs and incomes tomorrow.

– Riddhi Sharma

Riddhi is based in Richmond, BC, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr