Women’s Wealth and Influence Project women contribute to the improvement of education environment for girls

With the support of Save the Children’s DFID funded Women’s Wealth and Influence (WW&I) Project, women groups in Panj District organized and held Women Day Event dedicated to the improvement of education environment for children, especially for girls. Women group “Mehrubon” in jamoat Namuna, village Somoni hosted more than 70 people from other women’s groups and the representatives of local government to share their group activity toward improvement of education environment for girls through ensuring them with quality and affordable school uniforms.   

Women’s group “Mehrubon” consists of 30 members established a sewing workshop and sewed school uniforms for girls in their community. An average cost of school girl’s uniform was from 150 to 200 TJS at the market, and the group provided the village girls with the comfort and affordable uniforms from 50 to 80 TJS. Initially they just sewed uniforms for neighboring families, later once the local government learnt about the group’s activity, it helped the group “Mehrubon” to make agreement with 15 secondary schools of the District to provide them with school uniforms. When the members of WG received their first profit from activity, they decided to donate uniforms to 58 girls from poor families, and 97 girls from low income families bought uniforms for half price. “The local government and the community liked our products and we received new order to make 56 uniforms for teachers” stated inspired Alfiya Uzoqova, the Leader of WG “Mehrubon”. The group provided girls not only with school uniforms, but also with festal dresses, which were happily demonstrated by girls themselves.

“The uniform I purchased from WG “Mehrubon” was modern, fits well and made from good quality fabric” said Siyarova Nilufar, 10th grade school

The women also enjoyed meeting the guests from Save the Children Switzerland and Finox Biotech Company who learned on WW&I groups’ activities, and RSM Tajikistan Audit Company.

Meanwhile, Asliddin Komilov, trainer from Audit Company provided Master Class on Family budgeting and Business planning for the participants of the event. It raised women interest on training and they requested Save the Children WW&I project staff to continue conducting these type of sessions on regular basis that helps them to run their both family and small business independently and will improve their overall livelihoods.