Women and Youth Livelihood Empowerment in Myanmar

Since 2011, Myanmar has been going through a democratic improvement process, although the social and economic status of Myanmar's women and youth is still vulnerable. Women have limited access to education and jobs, which leave them poorly informed and lagging behind in skills. As it happens, they are financially dependent on their husbands, and women have limited income for their daily life. Moreover, they have to tackle day-to-day difficulties to find resources for their children's food, health issues and education expenses. This is particularly the case in the project areas (3 townships in Yangon region). Furthermore, youth in Myanmar feel quite hopeless about the future as many don't have the right capacities to find decent jobs.

This makes them vulnerable to drugs and alcohol abuse, which sadly have lifelong impacts on their lives, both in terms of poverty and dignity. Consequences of this also makes them easy prey for child labour and prostitution. Through this project, women and youth will improve their vocational skills, networking to get resources, and possible job opportunities through training and widening their social network. Self Help Group (SHG) members encourage each other and initiate to apply their health knowledge and their rights among SHG members in the community. Youth will also receive learning opportunities through motivational activities and support programs to obtain knowledge and skills, so they can improve their social standing. They will also receive job information job opportunities through vocational training, capacity building activities and networking. With ICCO;s support, Precious Stones will work with 1,000 women and youth in the Yangon region until 2019.

This project will be implemented in East Dagon Township, North Dagon Township and Insein Township in the Yangon region. The direct beneficiaries of youth and women are estimated to be 1,171 for three years. The focus of the youth aspect will be on the SHGs in the target areas and church society youth. The estimated indirect beneficiaries include 3,497 parents and peers at the end of the project period in 2019.

The expected outcome is that:
- The women of SHGs will have increased leadership skills, and small-scale business skills for income generation resulting in reduced domestic violence.
- Young people will have increased rational thinking and value based decision making skills, and improved working skills to enter into the work place with practically achievable goals.