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Agriculture remains the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, and women are increasingly leading the way. The CASA (Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness) project financed by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is empowering women by improving market access and enhancing farming techniques.
The video below showcases women standing confidently in their fields, working with newfound skills, and forming business alliances. In collaboration with NIRAS, CASA has targets to support over 15,000 farmers annually, with half of the beneficiaries being women. When women lead in agriculture, food security improves, and communities thrive.
The Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) project financed by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania. SET II currently implemented in Morogoro and Iringa is creating opportunities for young women by aligning vocational training with market needs.
The woman featured in the video represents the many individuals whose lives have been transformed by the project. She shares her story of resilience — from struggling as a young mother to becoming self-sufficient and able to support her children and family through the empowerment gained from acquiring new skills.
Women are not just learning — they are building businesses, leading community projects, and helping other young women navigate similar paths. SET II overall: Since the start of the project, a total of 7,039 youth have attended training—5,423 (77%) of them are females, including 3,008 (43%) young mothers.
Swisscontact’s Skills to Build (S2B) project in Mozambique is equipping vulnerable youth and low-skilled workers with the tools to thrive in the construction industry. In the video below, a young woman encourages her peers to embrace training in the construction sector, showcasing her skills and demonstrating how they have empowered her — a striking image of strength and progress in an industry where women have been underrepresented for decades.
With a target of 30% female participation, S2B is opening new pathways for income and professional growth while challenging cultural perceptions about women in technical trades.
In Kenya, Swisscontact’s PropelA project is helping young women challenge the status quo in the construction industry. Traditionally male-dominated, the plumbing and electrical trades are now seeing an influx of skilled female apprentices — learning not only technical skills but also how to navigate and thrive in a tough industry.
Recently, 76 apprentices graduated from our program, and 80% were retained by their employers. This is a significant achievement—comparable to, if not better than, employment rates among graduates from major public universities. To celebrate their success, we organized a formal graduation ceremony, complete with caps and gowns, just like traditional university graduations. This was a symbolic step and deliberate effort to elevate the status of technical training and challenge long-standing perceptions of vocational education.
Beyond the numbers, our work is about breaking stereotypes. For example, 44% of our apprentices who graduated from the plumbing trade are women, a figure unheard of in the technical training sector. This initiative is proving that technical careers are for everyone, regardless of gender.
In the PropelA IWD Campaign Video, young women speak about the power of economic independence and the confidence gained from mastering a craft. Their voices are strong, determined — a testament to the transformative power of opportunity.
Swisscontact’s approach to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion goes beyond just increasing representation— it’s about empowering. By investing in training, creating access to resources, and strengthening market linkages, Swisscontact builds ecosystems where women’s voices are heard, and they are leading the conversation.
This International Women’s month, Swisscontact is celebrating women and standing with them, driving action toward a future where opportunities are equitable, industries are inclusive, and women’s leadership is the norm.
#AccelerateAction| #IWD2025 | #GenderEquityAndSocialInclusion | #Swisscontact #WeCreateOpportunities