In 2009, Seeds of Peace launched the “Women’s Leadership Training Program for Greater Economic Participation” to create opportunities for its graduates to contribute to the economic empowerment of women in their communities. This important pilot program puts the role of women as full economic participants at the center of efforts to transform regions of historic conflict into more stable and peaceful environments. In partnership with the Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), fifteen Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, and Jordanian Seeds of Peace graduates, ranging in age from 18-28, were trained to work with local NGOs and lead projects to increase women’s economic participation in their home countries.
The program began in April with a six-day training in Amman, Jordan, to learn how to address policy, regulatory and gender-based challenges impacting women’s economic participation in their countries. In preparation for the development of their own projects, participants heard from Jordanian Minister of Social Development, H.E. Hala Lattouf, and studied the basic concepts and best practices of successful women’s economic empowerment projects in areas such as advocacy, community mobilization, and project design and management. After developing detailed action plans, the group spent the next seven months applying their skills to real issues facing women in their communities.
From December 1 to 9, these 15 remarkable “Seeds” came back together in Washington, DC, (Click here [2] for highlights) to share their successes and challenges, continue building their skills, and meet with leading international organizations working to strengthen women’s economic participation as well as government officials on Capitol Hill. During those meetings, the group had the opportunity to share their experiences and educate members of Congress and others about the importance of women’s leadership for economic empowerment and peace-building.
Workforce Readiness
Entrepreneurship
Women’s Leadership
Seeds of Peace is particularly grateful to ExxonMobil, which is generously underwriting the program as part of its Educating Women & Girls Initiative, and our partner, CEDPA, which is internationally recognized for improving the lives of women and girls worldwide by helping them to fulfill their leadership potential.
Links:
[1] http://www.seedsofpeace.org/partners/exxon
[2] http://www.seedsofpeace.org/programs/mideast/womens_leadership/highlights