UNICEF launches lifeskills programme for young women

UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, Dr Tajudeen Oyewale

Michael Mashiri

UNICEF has launched a FairChance pilot programme, which is aimed at empowering young women in Zimbabwe through training them on things such as self-confidence, leadership, critical thinking, and other life skills.

In a press release, UNICEF said the innovative initiative, which is hosted on the Goodwall app, strives to enhance and help vulnerable young woman in the country to be able to have more pleasant jobs.

“Through this learning pathway women will be invited to participate in four challenges on the Goodwall app, meant to train and test them on key life skills such as self-confidence, creativity, critical thinking, leadership, plus one industry immersion challenge,” they said.

UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, Dr Tajudeen Oyewale, said the overriding aim of FairChance was to prove how vulnerable young women can have a better life.

“The primary objective of FairChance Zimbabwe is to demonstrate how underrepresented young people can develop into a robust and qualified talent pool for employers and thus enhance diversity and inclusion in the labour market,” said Dr Oyewale.

The initiative coordinates with the Government of Zimbabwe’s dedication to promoting a comprehensive environment.

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tinomuda Machakaire, said FairChance was a welcome initiative as helps in ensuring a dynamic environment where young people can explore their potential.

“As a ministry, we believe this initiative is perfectly in alignment with our priorities for the youth of Zimbabwe and we aim to create a supportive ecosystem that nurtures talent and cultivates the leaders of tomorrow, through partnerships with leading educational institutions, industry experts and mentorship programmes, beyond this proof of concept,” said Machakaire.

Private sector partners for this pilot, SPAR Zimbabwe and tourism operator Wild Horizons have been engaged from the start to co-design the programme, share insights into their hiring practices and confirm the essential life skills needed for entry level jobs.

These employers will also provide actual opportunities for selected finalists of the programme, such as entry level jobs and internships.

Young women from the age of 18 and 26 are invited to take part in the programme through the Goodwall app from January 29.

The end goal of the FairChance programme is to put in place a cost-scalable proof of concept, demonstrating the efficacy and economic viability of partnership model, providing value for employers and impacting the lives of young women positively.

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