Sisters in Imani equip 30 young women with tailoring, fashion designing skills

DAR ES SALAAM: THIERTY young women aged between 15 and 28 have been equipped with tailoring and fashion design skills through a joint initiative aimed at promoting youth self-employment and economic empowerment.

The initiative was implemented by Sisters in Imani in collaboration with Fashion for Empowerment, Demure by Shiba and the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA).

The 40-day training programme, conducted at VETA Chang’ombe in Dar es Salaam, provided participants with practical skills in producing various fashion items, including clothes, handbags and hats.

Speaking during a ceremony to mark the completion of the training, VETA Dar es Salaam Regional Manager Wilhard Soko said the partnership was part of efforts to equip young people with practical vocational skills that could be directly applied to improve their livelihoods.

He said VETA Chang’ombe was selected for the programme because of its infrastructure and capacity in Textile and Fashion Design.

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Mr Soko said VETA was also continuing to expand its network of vocational training centres across Tanzania, noting that the number had increased from about 29 centres in 2001 to 80 currently, with plans to reach approximately 145 centres.

Sisters in Imani Chairperson Khadija Mjatta said the organisation believed that providing young people with education and practical skills gave them the tools to build sustainable livelihoods and make a positive contribution to their families and communities.

She said the programme was designed not only to teach participants how to sew, but also to equip them with skills that could enable them to start businesses, generate income and become economically independent.

Ms Mjatta called for continued collaboration among the government, financial institutions, the private sector, fashion designers and other stakeholders to support the graduates beyond the training programme.

She said access to finance, markets and continued mentorship would be important in helping the young women turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable businesses.