Help 100 Iraqi Women Launch a Business
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Summary
Women in the program will receive rights awareness training, job skills training, small business development support, and access to capital to help them participate in the rebuilding on their country.
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How Donors Like You Helped
Thanks to donors like you, a total of $22,500 was raised for this project.
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Received $22,500 from 140 donations from people like:
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More Information About this Project
Project Needs and Beneficiaries
Women in Iraq have survived war, sanctions and Saddam Hussein’s oppressive regime. Now they are faced with an economic environment that offers few opportunities for them to earn a living. The overwhelming concern for women in urban Iraq is how to earn an income so they can support their families. WWI’s program will focus on the most disenfranchised women in south central Iraq, to help them find ways to earn an income, and therefore to rebuild their lives and communities.
Activities
100 women will receive small-business training in areas such as pricing and marketing, assistance in writing a business plan, and loans of equipment, raw materials or funds to launch their business.
Funding Information
Total Funding Received to Date: $22,500
Funding Information
This project is now in implementation and no longer available for funding.
Received funds will be used to accomplish concrete objectives as
indicated in the project's "Activities" section. Updates will be posted under the
"Progress Report" tab as they become available.
Donors' contributions and pledges to this project totaled $22,500. The original project funding goal was $22,500.
Additional Documentation
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
Resources
Why this Project is Important
Potential Long Term Impact
Women for Women International’s Iraq office served a total of 1,300 women since 2003, benefiting an additional 7,800 family and community members.
Project Message
“I hope to start an animal husbandry and small farming project by my home to help support my family.”
- WWI program participant in Hillah, program participant
When this Project was Updated
Last Updated
This project was last updated on June 08, 2007.
Date Added to GlobalGiving
This project was added to the GlobalGiving project catalog on September 01, 2005.
Latest Update from the Field
Women-Owned Businesses in Iraq
By Women for Women International - Project Sponsor, June 08, 2007 12:18 PM
Although the end of the Hussein regime brought great relief to many women, insecurity and insurgent lawlessness have brought an increase in crimes and violence against women, including rape, honor killings, and kidnappings. A climate of fear continues to limit the movement and activities of many women. Women’s ongoing involvement in Iraq’s reconstruction is critical as the country struggles to move toward stability. Over the past year, there have been numerous organized efforts to promote capacity building of Iraqi women’s nongovernmental organizations while also ensuring women’s empowerment in economic and political arenas on a grassroots level. Approximately 80 women’s groups currently exist in Baghdad, offering a new outlet for dialogue and empowerment.
Women for Women International’s Iraq office served 300 women in 2005, with a total of 1,300 women served since 2003, benefiting an additional 7,800 family and community members. Additionally, Women for Women International has provided NGO training to 15 groups committed to Iraqi women’s empowerment.
Vocational skills training courses are also offered as part of Women for Women International’s programs. Courses currently offered include carpentry, carpet weaving, beadwork, and an introduction to computers.
These programs give women the opportunity to become active participants in the economic reconstruction of their lives, families and communities.
Haifa, an Iraqi woman, could not afford to pay for her family’s medical expenses because her health and age made it impossible for her to continue her previous line of work, which was selling fuel near a gas station. Once she started receiving direct financial aid and business skills training from Women for Women International, she was able to begin work that she could conduct from home. She made a deal with a supplier in a nearby governorate to purchase straw-made sweepers, fans, and baskets at a wholesale price, which she then sells. She has doubled her initial goal and is now regularly able to save the amount of two months rent from the profits.
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Iraq
Economic Development
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