Economic, social empowerment of Indigenous women, youth being pursued

–through new EU-funded project launched by the Amerindian Peoples Association

THE Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has embarked on a new project aimed at improving the economic and social outlook of Indigenous women and children through improved and sustainable livelihoods.

The idea of the project followed the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely impacted women, children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

Although the APA is aware of the shortcomings and inadequacies previously faced by women and children in particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated those circumstances. Notwithstanding this, women and children have played important roles during these difficult times.

“Women and youth have been part of collaborative efforts to secure and distribute food items, medical and sanitisation supplies, identify those in need, identify the types of support needed, and have played parts in public awareness in the communities,” the APA said in a press release.

The Association added: “This project will see the APA working primarily with indigenous women and youth, in Regions One, Seven and Eight to strengthen their capacities by supporting their improvement and their communities in the long term; including, addressing the need for inclusion of both demographics in the decision-making process in community governance.”

The APA also intends to create opportunities to address the deficiencies in the representation of women and youth on issues of importance to them, such as economic livelihoods and social issues such as domestic violence.

The Association will endeavour to collaborate with government agencies, the private sector and other NGOs to achieve this.
Among the key activities under the project are the facilitation of training workshops, and regional women and youth conferences.

Additionally, the project will seek to develop six small-livelihood projects, which will be implemented and managed by the women and youth participants.
The APA believes that similar endeavours have failed because of a lack of skills to make them successful.

“However, with training, financial support, and active monitoring, such projects will stand a better chance at success and have a lifespan beyond the project life,” the association related.
This project began in February 2021 with funding from the European Union and will run for 24 months.

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