Women in Teso North stitch their way to financial freedom

A community-based organisation has launched an empowerment programme aimed at equipping young women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills in Teso North.

 The "Beyond Stitches" programme, which seeks to create pathways to dignified and fulfilling work for young women, is a one-year initiative by Jenga AfriHub in partnership with Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO).

 The launch, held on Wednesday, coincided with World Youth Skills Day.

 The programme aims to empower participants through training in tailoring, fashion and design, entrepreneurship, branding, marketing, business development, digital skills, mentorship and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) awareness.

 Speaking during the launch, Jenga AfriHub board chairman Greg Odeke said the initiative seeks to transform vocational training into an aspirational and market-driven career pathway.

 "Our main target is to position Jenga AfriHub as a young women-led grassroots hub driving empowerment across Western Kenya and eventually across Kenya and neighbouring countries," he said.

 Odeke recognised SHOFCO's support in helping change the perception of vocational training from being viewed as a fallback option to an aspirational, market-ready pathway that creates dignified and fulfilling jobs for young women.

 He said the programme would connect beneficiaries to markets and sustainable livelihood opportunities by addressing challenges facing many young women, including unemployment, poverty, gender inequality and exclusion from formal and digital economies after training.

"This initiative combines vocational training with entrepreneurship, mentorship, digital skills and life skills to improve participants' chances of securing sustainable livelihoods," he said.

 Each beneficiary will receive a sewing machine and raw materials as start-up capital after successfully completing the training.

 Odeke called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, businesses, communities and non-governmental organisations to create market linkages and sustain the programme beyond its implementation period.

 Jenga AfriHub executive director Marian Murunga urged leaders, institutions and development partners to move beyond discussions and make practical investments in youth-centred initiatives.

 "As the future of work continues to evolve, skills are becoming the new currency of opportunity. We must move beyond talking about youth empowerment and make deliberate investments in initiatives that equip young people with the competencies they need to thrive, lead and create opportunities for themselves and others," she said.

 Murunga said investing in practical skills would enable young people become job creators rather than job seekers while contributing to economic growth in their communities.

 INSTANT ANALYSIS

The Beyond Stitches programme highlights the importance of equipping young women with practical skills that can create pathways to economic independence. By combining vocational training with entrepreneurship, digital skills and mentorship, the initiative seeks to address challenges such as unemployment, poverty and limited access to opportunities. Providing start-up tools after training further strengthens the possibility of participants turning their skills into sustainable businesses. The programme also reflects the need for stronger partnerships between community organisations, government and private sector players to support youth empowerment. Its success will depend on continued market access, mentorship and long-term support beyond the initial training period.