Securing the economic rights of out-of-school young women through entrepreneurship and skills training

It is said that over 44 percent of private businesses in Ghana is owned by women and thereby contributing to the development and sustainability of the economy.

Information from the Ghana Statistical Service, Non-governmental organisations and the Ministry of Employment indicated that chunk of females from the rural are engaged in farming activities while the rest migrate to the urban areas in search of menial.

It was revealed that most of the women have some skills that when nurtured would help them establish their own businesses in order to contribute to the socio-economic needs of their family, society and the country as a whole.

In view of that some organisations like the Alinea Foundation project dubbed Women’s Economic Empowerment through Industrial Trades aimed at helping the women break into male dominated workforce while Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency continue to empower more women in entrepreneurial skills .

This therefore shows that securing the economic rights of out-of-school young women through entrepreneurship and skill training is a crucial step in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.

Organizations like the United Nation (UN) Women and Global Giving have recognized the importance of providing vocational training and entrepreneurship skills training to young, out-of-school women to increase access to decent employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Research has also shown that when female entrepreneurs are trained and educated, they can generate and maintain their own income in the long run.

Entrepreneurship education and training is said to be the best solution to help mitigate and reduce gender inequality by providing women with equal access to resources, markets, and support.

To ensure that training activities and content match the needs and experiences of women entrepreneurs, research is essential to support the design of entrepreneurship training programs and curricula.

This includes understanding gender issues and barriers in the training programs, as well as the experiences of female entrepreneurs who have attended such programs.

By providing vocational training and entrepreneurship skills training, organizations can help young women gain access to decent employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, ultimately contributing to their economic security and independence.

Benefits of entrepreneurship and skill training for out-of-school young women

Entrepreneurship and skill training offer numerous benefits for out-of-school young women thereby empowering them with essential tools for economic independence and success.

First of all is the gender equality and empowerment. For a country to grow in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, it must embark on entrepreneurship education and training programmes to harness on the potentials of the young women. This would go a long way in promoting gender equality by providing women with equal access to resources, markets, and support to break even in their businesses. This helps in overcoming gender disparities and empowering women economically

Also, is the leadership development where the young women would be empowered to develop leadership skills, embrace their competitive side, and learn to take risks.

More so, It is the preparing them for an uncertain future.In today's rapidly changing world, entrepreneurship education prepares students for an uncertain future by teaching problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, and resilience in the face of challenges.

There is also the need to imbibe in them creativity and advocacy for collaboration. When young potential females are educated and provided with the needed resources as well urged to form collaborations, it helps to secure some funding to inject into the investment which the country can generate some revenue from the tax to be paid for other developmental projects. Entrepreneurship education fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration among students, providing them with opportunities to think outside the box and work effectively in teams.

Furthermore identification of issues affecting the Skills of the young women would help to teach them how to identify problems before solving them with some critical skill that is often overlooked in traditional education systems.

Challenges faced by young women in entrepreneurship and skill training programs

Women entrepreneurs often face challenges due to socially constructed roles that limit their access to certain industries, such as technology-intensive markets, which are primarily reserved for male entrepreneurs. This can lead to oversaturation of female-operated ventures in specific sectors while limiting access to other markets.

Also, limited Access to resources and markets continue to hinder the entrepreneurial skills of young females in Ghana. Despite the potential of some women in the country, many of them continue to encounter difficulties in accessing finance, markets, suppliers, and customers, which are essential for business success. This lack of access can hinder their ability to grow and sustain their ventures.

Both men and women in entrepreneurship rely on previous education and work experiences for success. However, women face more challenges related to limited experience, which can impact their confidence and ability to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape effectively.

Inadequate finances pose a significant challenge for young women entrepreneurs, impacting their ability to start or expand their businesses. This lack of financial resources can limit their growth potential and hinder business sustainability.

Social and cultural issues can create barriers for young women in entrepreneurship, affecting their ability to access opportunities, build networks, and overcome traditional gender roles that may restrict their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Strategies to overcome the challenges faced by young women in entrepreneurship

Implementing gender mainstreaming in entrepreneurship training programs can help address gender gaps and promote inclusivity. This involves designing training activities and content that cater to the needs and experiences of women entrepreneurs

Adopting gender-sensitive training approaches is crucial for the success of informal entrepreneurial training for women. These approaches can enhance the effectiveness of training programs by considering the specific challenges and opportunities faced by female entrepreneurs

Providing proper gender-based training that includes technology and innovation components is essential for empowering women entrepreneurs. Integrating technology into training programs can help women access various innovations, financial resources, markets, suppliers, customers, and knowledge essential for business success

Involving experienced female entrepreneurs and business role models in training programs can promote understanding of gender issues, entrepreneurship skills, and technology adoption among young women. Learning from successful female entrepreneurs can provide valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring business owners.

Designing personalized training programs that gather key information from trainees, such as learning expectations, life experiences, family background, and business networks, can help tailor training approaches to promote gender inclusiveness and address specific needs effectively.

Tailoring entrepreneurship training programs specifically for women can attract more female participants and increase their visibility in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These tailored programs can address the unique needs and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, making them more inclusive and effective

Implementing mentorship and networking programs can provide young women with guidance, support, and opportunities to connect with experienced entrepreneurs. These programs help build a supportive community, offer valuable advice, and foster professional relationships that can enhance visibility and success in entrepreneurship

Executive Director of WSIDA-Ghana Hajia Alimatu Saaed Sagito in her response to the issues noted that promoting successful women entrepreneurs as role models in education settings, such as speaking engagements can help inspire young women to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path.

“Nurturing entrepreneurship skills in girls from an early age through hands-on experiences, interactions with female role models, and educational programmes can instill confidence, financial literacy, goal-setting abilities, and a mindset for leadership and innovation. Early exposure to entrepreneurial skills can pave the way for future success in entrepreneurship,” she said.

She said the organisation was committed liaising with other private sectors and government agencies to provide the needed materials and resources to build the capacity of young women in the northern sector especially.

Executive Director of Songtaba Women Empowerment and advocacy NGO Lamnatu Adam in an interview with B&FT advocated for more incentives for women into entrepreneurial programmes.

She urged the public and other stakeholders to collaborate with government to design programmes that would help combat gender-based violence in the country.