With a population of about 76 million under strain from civil wars and frequent droughts, Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest nations. The rate of illiteracy among Ethiopian women is exceptionally high – only 22.8% of adult women know how to read and write than 50.8% of men.
In the region of Oromia, as with the rest of Ethiopia, women live in conditions where they are seen as inferior and subordinate to men. Their needs, their desires and their expectations are effectively not of concern to a patriarchal society. It is easy to deduce that such problems become much more aggravated in orphan girls, who cannot even depend on any support from their families. Assessing the limited possibilities of including women in the world of business and giving them independence has led to an appreciation of the necessity to develop their business skills to boost the community where they work positively.
In particular, the project was set up to help 15 girls living in disadvantaged conditions – orphans who had finished their studies and did not yet have a job.
A trade of choice has been identified within the clothing sector and sewing industry for intervention. This is all thanks to the experience the Congregation of the Daughters of Saint Anna has acquired in this field, the presence of a workforce in the area, the ease of sourcing sewing equipment, the availability of suitable community members and the interest shown by some of the girls towards this professional skill.
The project has been given the overall goal of teaching a profession to young women living in disadvantaged conditions. These skills will make them more economically independent from their extended families and community and enable them to work freely and respectably. This is thanks to the production of garments (household items, clothing and accessories, etc.), which can be sold at the Congregation, through local markets, trade fairs, and bought directly from them by tourists.