The story of Fatuma Habib

Enabling the environment for young women

Oxfam Novib supports youth around the world to overcome the multiple challenges they face, varying from youth unemployment and low quality education, to a lack of influence in policies and practices that determine their lives. Empower Youth for Work enables young people, especially young women, in climate-affected rural areas to be confident and skillful to find or create jobs. We focus on changing the social norms around gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health rights and unpaid care work. So far, we have reached more than 50,000 young people.

90% Of the people believe women should take care of the — very labor-intensive — household and the children.

Oxfam and partners increased young women’s job perspectives, among others by training youth both in business skills and on a fairer division of roles within the household. Around 185 new and existing youth group businesses were identified, organized and strengthened, ranging from cattle fattening and grain trade to beekeeping and drinkable water trucking.

Fatuma Habib is a 27-year-old mother of four children…

... “In 2013, a broker promised me a good job in Saudi Arabia. Instead I was exploited as a domestic worker. When I returned to my family, I had to pay a fine and leave all my belongings behind. So I urgently needed an income.” EYW partner RCWDO helped Fatuma to start a company specialized in cattle fattening and write a business plan. She succeeded in getting a loan. “We have already bought, fattened and sold the first batch of 10 oxen. Now I plan to save some money to buy a bus and start my own public transport company. Public transport is essential for the welfare of our community.”

Listen to the dreams of Fatuma Habib:

Video

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Donor: IKEA FOUNDATION