Women and Youth Empowerment Program

Empowering Skills. Building Futures.

The Women and Youth Empowerment Program is a core initiative of the Centre for Youth and Sustainable Development (CYSD) aimed at equipping women and young people especially those from underserved and conflict-affected communities with practical, market-relevant skills and clear career pathways.

Across many rural and hard-to-reach communities, women and youth face high unemployment, limited access to vocational education, and uncertainty about career choices. This program responds to those challenges by combining hands-on vocational training, digital skills, and career orientation to support self-reliance, dignity, and long-term economic stability.

What We Aim to Achieve

Our goal is to empower women and youth with the skills, confidence, and guidance they need to secure decent work, start small businesses, or pursue further training.

Through this program, we aim to:

  • Increase employability and income-generation opportunities
  • Reduce youth unemployment and underemployment
  • Support women’s participation in technical and non-traditional trades
  • Help young people make informed and realistic career choices



Who We Serve

This program is designed for:

  • Young women and men aged 15–35
  • Out-of-school youth and school leavers
  • Unemployed or underemployed women
  • Youth from rural, hard-to-reach, and conflict-affected communities

Our Training Areas

Electricity and Electronics

Participants receive practical, hands-on training in basic electrical and electronic skills, including domestic wiring, electrical safety, and simple electronics repair.

Impact: Graduates gain employable skills for apprenticeships, self-employment, or entry-level work in electrical services.

Building and Construction

This component introduces participants to essential construction skills such as basic masonry, carpentry, use of tools, and workplace safety standards.

Impact: Learners are prepared for work on construction sites or to support small-scale building projects within their communities.

Information Technology (IT)

The IT training focuses on foundational digital skills, including computer literacy, use of productivity tools, internet navigation, and online safety.

Impact: Participants develop essential digital competencies that improve employability and open pathways to further learning or office-based and online opportunities.

Career Orientation and Life Skills

Career orientation supports participants to understand their strengths, explore career options, and plan realistic pathways into employment, vocational training, or entrepreneurship.

This includes:

  • Career guidance and goal setting
  • Workplace readiness and soft skills
  • Mentorship and motivational sessions

Impact: Youth gain clarity, confidence, and direction as they transition into the world of work.

 

How We Work

  • Practical, competency-based training
  • Community-based training centers and workshops
  • Experienced vocational trainers and mentors
  • Partnerships with local artisans, technicians, and businesses
  • Gender-sensitive and inclusive learning environments

Expected Impact

  • Improved employability and self-employment among women and youth
  • Increased household income and economic resilience
  • Greater inclusion of women in technical skills training
  • Youth equipped with practical skills and clear career pathways

 

Sustainability

The program prioritizes skills that are in demand locally and immediately applicable. Graduates are encouraged to form cooperatives, connect with mentors, and access local markets and employment opportunities, ensuring lasting impact beyond the training period.

 

Through the Women and Youth Empowerment Program, CYSD is helping women and young people turn skills into opportunity—and opportunity into sustainable livelihoods.

 

Get Involved

Support This Program

Your support helps women and youth gain practical skills that lead to real jobs, small businesses, and lasting self-reliance.

By supporting this program, you help us to:

  • Provide tools, equipment, and training materials
  • Support skilled trainers and mentors
  • Expand access to vocational training in hard-to-reach communities
  • Reach more women and vulnerable youth with life-changing opportunities

Together, we can turn potential into productivity and hope into sustainable livelihoods.

 

Partner With Us

We welcome partnerships with organizations, institutions, and individuals who share our commitment to empowering women and youth.

We are open to partnerships in:

  • Vocational skills training and curriculum development
  • Equipment donations and technical support
  • Apprenticeships, internships, and job placement
  • Mentorship, career guidance, and knowledge exchange

Partner with CYSD to invest in skills, dignity, and the future of underserved communities.