Economic transformation through women./ Mabadiliko ya kiuchumi kupitia wanawake.

Women are the solution to increase of economic growth and the reduction of poverty. The question may be asked; ‘Is there an actual difference in the economic growth of a country that has been impacted by women?’ The answer is YES! The UN Facts and Figures show the evidence in women’s contribution to worldwide economic growth.

• An increase in female labour force participation—or a reduction in the gap between women’s and men’s labour force participation—results in faster economic growth [1].
• Evidence from a range of countries shows that increasing the share of household income controlled by women, either through their own earnings or cash transfers, changes spending in ways that benefit children [2]
• A study using data from 219 countries from 1970 to 2009 found that, for every one additional year of education for women of reproductive age, child mortality decreased by 9.5 per cent [3] source UN Women Website.

The list of benefits that countries’ economies receive from women empowerment is endless. For this reason, Best of Zanzibar has focused its resources on empowering women and youth in Kijini and Mbuyu Tende villages to help with poverty alleviation. In both villages, there is a high number of unemployment where women face unequal opportunities in mostly male dominated workplaces or occupations. We believe women are equally talented and when given an opportunity to expand and use her given talents a woman will not only benefit herself but the society that surrounds her.

Best of Zanzibar has started working with 6 women from Kijini and Mbuyu Tende villages by educating them on tailoring skills. These women will be part of a group that will teach others on the trade and also work in the upcoming Zanzibar Amber Resort project creating a sustainable income for the women and their families. Best of Zanzibar has partnered with Barefoot College located at Kinyasini to train the women in sewing as a sustainable livelihood activity. The women will be provided with training in record keeping, savings and lending, and entrepreneurship.

It is said: Women are the solution to poverty. They have the potential to bring about economic and social change that transform lives- one woman, one family, one community at a time.

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Girls have equal opportunities in education

Mabadiliko ya kiuchumi kupitia wanawake.

Wanawake nisuluisho la kuongeza ukuwaji wa kiuchumi na kupunguza umasikini. Unaweza uliza swali; ‘Je kuna utafauti wowote wa kiuchumi kwenye nchi unaoletwa na wanawake kufanya kazi au biashara?’ Jibu ni NDIO! Utafiti uliyo fanywa na Umoja wa Mataifa -UN unaonesha ushaidi wa ukuwaji wa uchumi duniani unaoletwa na wanawake.

Idadi ya faida zinazo tokana na uwezeshaji wa wanakwake ni nyingi, na kwa sababu hii Best of Zanzibar inaweka nguvu zake kwenye kuwaelimisha na kuwawezesha wanawake na vijana kakita vijiji vya Kijini na Mbuyu Tende ili kuwasaidia kuondokana na umasikini. Katika vijiji hivyo idadi ya watu wasio na ajiri ni kubwa na wanawake kupata changamoto ya kukosa usawa katika ajira au biashara kutokana na nafasi nyingi kutawaliwa na wanaume. Tunaamini kwamba wanawake wakipewa fursa ya kutumia vipaji vyao au kujifunza vipaji vipya watanufaisha familia zao na jamii inayo wazunguka.

Best of Zanzibari imechagua wanawake 6 katika vijiji vya Kijini na Mbuyu Tende, na kuwapa nafasi ya kujifunza ufundi cherehani. Wanawake hawa watakua katika  kikundi kitakacho wafundisha wanawake wengine ufundi huo na kufanya kazi katika mradi unaojengwa wa Zanzibar Amber Resort. Best of Zanzibar imejiunga na Barefoot College iliyopo Kinyasini kuwafundisha wanawake taaluma ya ufundi cherehani. Wanawake hawa watapata pia mafunzo ya kuweka akiba na kukopa vile vile mafunzo ya ujasiriamali.

Inasemekana kwamba wanawake ni suluhisho lakupunguza umasikini. Wanawake wanayo nafasi yakuleta mabadiliko ya kiuchumi na kuboresha jamii kwa manufaa ya wote- wanamke mmoja, familia moja, Kijiji kimoja kwa hatua moja.