In the heart of Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, a transformative project spearheaded by the Alight GBV sector is changing the lives of displaced women and girls. The initiative, “Strengthening Displaced Women’s Economic Empowerment and Mental Health Wellbeing in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement,” focuses on empowering vulnerable women through tailored skills, financial literacy, and psychosocial support.
At the forefront of this effort are the Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) in Kakoni, Kaborogota, and Bwiriza, which have become havens of hope and empowerment. With sewing machines, financial training tools, and mental health resources, the women are breaking barriers and building resilience amidst displacement.
Tailoring Skills and Financial Independence
The project has trained 90 women in tailoring, equipping them with the skills to produce quality garments and generate income. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) introduced financial literacy, fostering a saving culture and self-reliance.
Beneficiaries like Nyabizana Neema, 18, expressed their gratitude: “This training will enable me to have a good future development and self-support.”
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Mental health was an integral part of the program, with 60 women trained in Psychosocial First Aid (PFA) to address psychological distress, combat stigma, and build peer support networks.
For many, like Speciose, a 40-year-old woman with a disability, the initiative has restored dignity and belonging: “I used to feel worthless due to my disability, but now I am full of friends and freely come to the women’s centre without feeling stigma.”
Despite challenges like limited funding and staffing, the project exceeded expectations, directly impacting 110 women and girls and indirectly benefiting 56 others. The resilience and determination of these women underscore the transformative power of empowerment programs.
Da Vision Youth Group: A Model for Empowering Refugees
Founded in March 2017, the Da Vision Youth Group operates in the Sweswe Zone of Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, addressing challenges faced by women and youth. Registered with Kyegegwa District Local Government, this women-led group has become a beacon of empowerment.
Holistic Programming
Da Vision’s entrepreneurship and skills training center provides practical skills in tailoring, hairdressing, liquid soap making, and adult literacy. Targeting vulnerable groups such as child mothers, school dropouts, and women at risk, these programs foster self-sufficiency and self-esteem.
Over the years, partnerships with organizations like Alight, Kabarole Research Center (KRC), and YARID have expanded the group’s impact. These collaborations have trained over 113 women and girls, equipping them with life skills in tailoring and hairdressing to combat GBV and promote economic independence.
Innovations and Sustainability
The group has also partnered with UNHCR, implementing a $4,000 CERF project in 2023 for GBV prevention. Through the production of high-quality products such as laptop bags, safari bags, and African wear, Da Vision Youth Group has set a standard for innovation and quality.
Now self-sustaining, the group stands as a model for refugee-led organizations, inspiring hope and development across Kyaka II.
