On 07-08 October, 2024 at the Taj Palace Hotel, a follow-up business training was conducted for second group of women refugees who had been granted small initiatives by the HOPE project.
These business trainings are typically including sessions on writing business plans. The most promising of these plans are selected for provision of mini-initiatives. Afghan women and young girls who have actively participated in these trainings are now launching their business in Tajikistan.
In the face of anxiety and loss, many refugee women grapple with the responsibility of providing for their families and seeking new opportunities for self-realization. However, through the support and guidance provided in these business training programs, these women have discovered a path to renewed hope and stability.
The business trainings, which focus on start-ups and business expansion are conducted by Project “HOPE”. This project is supported by the Women`s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) and is in partnership with UN Women. The aim is to improve the lives of women refugees in Tajikistan. Business trainings are focused on improvement of women and girls lives in Tajikistan. These trainings motivate the women towards starting and developing their own businesses in Tajikistan, enhancing their knowledge on selling, promoting, and expanding their businesses. Simultaneously, these trainings help to uncover their hidden talents in terms of producing and creating new products. A key element of these trainings is the emphasis on the accumulation and deposit of funds at all levels, from family to community which is a crucial step towards their self-sufficiency and success.
After participating in an intensive business training program offered by a refugee support organization, a group of women not only acquired knowledge but also developed confidence in their entrepreneurial abilities. This training was instrumental in honing their business management skills and inspiring them to establish their own businesses.
However, starting a business often encounters financial hurdles. This is where the “HOPE” project stepped in, playing a pivotal role by providing these refugee women with the necessary equipment to commence their work. This support was a critical factor in the realization of their business ideas.
Now, with the backing of the project, these women entrepreneurs are operating in their respective sectors, creating workplaces for themselves and others in their community. They manufacture goods, offer services, and contribute significantly to their communities’ economic development.
Furthermore, these women’s success enhances their personal well-being and creates improved conditions for their families. They have become role models for other women in similar situations, demonstrating that strength and opportunities for change can be found even in challenging circumstances.
Their stories serve as potent examples of how support, education, and access to resources can catalyze positive change in the lives of individuals in vulnerable situations. Through these efforts, refugee women have not only discovered new opportunities for themselves but have also become catalysts for economic growth in their communities.