Women With Disabilities Receive Skills Training in URR

Upper River Region, The Gambia – The Gambia Federation of the Disabled, in collaboration with Child Fund The Gambia and with funding from UNFPA, has successfully conducted a five-day intensive skills training for Women With Disabilities in the Upper River Region. The training focused on Tie and Dye, Batik, and Business Management, equipping participants with valuable skills to enhance their economic independence.

This initiative stems from the recognition that Women With Disabilities in The Gambia face multiple forms of discrimination, particularly in employment opportunities. Many are often marginalized and excluded from the workforce due to their disabilities. In response, the federation, in partnership with UNICEF, engaged a consultant to conduct a needs assessment to identify the interests and aspirations of Women With Disabilities in the region.

The assessment revealed that participants were keen on learning income-generating skills such as soap-making, Omo production, Tie and Dye, and Batik, alongside business management training to support their entrepreneurial ambitions. Based on these findings, the federation designed a training program tailored to meet their needs.

Following the completion of the training, 45 Women With Disabilities are now equipped with the necessary skills to independently produce and market their products.

The program’s closing ceremony was attended by family members, friends, the Chairman of the Federation, the Acting Executive Director, the Country Director of Child Fund The Gambia, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, the Deputy Governor of URR (representing the Governor), members of the Technical Advisory Committee, and the media.

An award ceremony was held where all participants received certificates confirming their competence in the respective skills. Additionally, a startup capital will be provided to the trainees to help them launch their businesses and achieve self-sufficiency.

This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering Women With Disabilities, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring economic sustainability within marginalized communities.

The training is part of series of activities intended to be embarked upon by the federation in 2025 aimed to promote rights of persons with disabilities, as far as implementation of the disability act is concern.