The government of Japan launched a Ksh560 million ($4.6 million) initiative fund to empower 30 women and youth from Kakuma Refugee Camp and Turkana host communities.
Several corporates agreed to be part of the project, which was coordinated by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women
The training, set to be hosted by Toyota Academy in Nairobi, imparts the beneficiaries with livelihood skills and increases their future job opportunities.
Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Ken Okaniwa affirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting refugee and host communities through contributions to UN organisations and Japanese non-governmental organisations.
Okaniwa highlighted Japan’s contribution of nearly Ksh2.8 billion in the fiscal year 2019-2022, including funds for UN Women and looked forward to seeing the trainees return after completing the course, improving their livelihoods, and promoting economic growth in their local areas.
Marian Akeno, one of the program's beneficiaries, urged women to embrace technical skills without fear.
She said that many women shy away from such jua-kali jobs because they think they are dirty and tired or that they simply cannot do it. But if they are passionate, they should not let anything get in their way.
Wilson Nang’iro, another trainee, urged for support towards women to encourage them to achieve some level of balance.
Equally, Toyota Kenya Foundation and the UN Women partnership are establishing an automotive garage in Turkana County to provide a workplace for the program graduates.
Collaboration between the Department of Refugee Services under the Ministry of Interior, Turkana County Government, and Peace Winds Japan will empower women further in the manufacturing and engineering fields.
