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Vocational Training for Women Affected by War
This initiative works with Internally Displaced Persons and individuals from their host communities in Jaffna. It provides vocational training for both groups to work together.
Description
The initiative started in 2004 and works in collaboration with the Jaffna Technical College to provide vocational training for women from internally displaced communities and their host communities in Jaffna. The training includes both traditional vocations such as Palmyra weaving and non-traditional vocations such as masonry. The initiative helps them to enter their vocations after the training through an internship programme.
Aims / Objectives
The initiative aims to provide skill development training for women from Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) communities and their host communities. It is hoped that, through this shared training, it will also promote harmony between these two groups, forced to live together by the war. Giving individuals the means to earn a living reduces the chances of conflict arising due to a scarcity of resources and the resulting competition. Further, by improving the relationships between the I.D.P. and host communities, it is hoped this programme will reduce conflict between these two groups. The initiative promotes person-to-person relationships through shared training and these relationships will reach across the ethnic stereotypes that have become so divisive and powerful because of the war, thereby reducing the impact of the estrangement the war has caused.
How it is Articulated
Seventy per cent of the participating women selected are I.D.P.s, as they have the most need to earn a livelihood and to take advantage of the psychological healing opportunities offered to repair the mental and emotional damage caused by the war. The remaining thirty per cent are selected from host communities so that I.D.P.s and hosts will learn and work alongside each other and thereby improve their relationships.
The vocational training is a full-time 6 month course that equips them with the necessary knowledge and practical experience through an internship. The participants receive a certificate at the completion of the training.The course is conducted in coalition with the Jaffna technical college and the Palmyra Board with the approval of the Ministry of technical education. The participants who complete the masonry training receive a tool kit through these connections and now they have the opportunity to enrol in civil engineering studies.
The Palmyra board provides trainings in Palmyra weaving and support the trainees by supplying them with orders. The women who received garment making training received further training from a factory and sewing machines for them to start their own business.The businesses that have started as a result of this training are all run by women affected by the war.
Achievements / Learning Points
This success would be further improved upon if the women can start to receive contracts from the construction industry (even in the midst of the war situation, construction is ongoing). Making and supplying concrete blocks and beams for construction can be done by the women from their homes.The first women to receive masonry training found their internship period difficult as they had to work in a male dominated sphere. Some women even dropped out of the training, after finding it too difficult to cope in a predominantly male work space. However, the current group of female masons who have finished the training will be able to provide internships for future groups.
The more traditional vocational training in Palmyra weaving and sewing was successful in providing the women with the necessary skills. We also saw that relationships between the I.D.P.s and the hosts improved during the training; however they found themselves in competition once they started making and selling their products. This is largely due to the ongoing war, which limits the amount people can travel and so stops people from different areas travelling to buy these women’s goods. Therefore, for future batches it is best to train them in different crafts or to find a way to send the products to be sold in a different area.
Geographical Area of Operation
Jaffna
Funding Resources
Christian Aid
Organisations Involved
Jaffna technical college, the Palmyra Board and the Ministry of Technical Education.