Young Women's Leadership Program (YWLP) in Yemen

Program Overview

The Young Women’s Leadership Program in Yemen (YWLP), launched in 2006, is a three-year program that builds the technical and professional skills of young women, age 22-25, to become leaders in civil society and media. YWLP is funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). IREX and its network partner IREX Europe work together with the Yemen-based Girls World Communication Center.

KEY ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES

Build the technical and professional skills of young women for leadership roles in civil society and media
Increase women’s participation in public life in Yemen for a stronger civil society

PROJECT PLAN

Leadership training for more than 100 women
Work-study opportunities for 100 young women
Funding and completion of 20 civil society and media projects

Project Activities

Technical Skills Training: Young women participate in intensive English language, computer skills, and organizational management classes. Participants also have the opportunity to choose between specialized NGO management or media training tracks.
Leadership Training: An important aspect of the program is training in life skills—decision making, goal setting, self-confidence building, and negotiation skills—to reduce women’s isolation and teach them to make choices for themselves or in a group dynamic.
Study Tours and Site Visits: Trainees participate in study tours to NGO projects sites, media outlets, and donor offices to learn through observation and interaction with staff.
Work-Study Program: Young women work as volunteer interns at NGOs and media outlets for four to six weeks, honing their skills and gaining exposure to the work environment.
Small Grants: All participants have the opportunity to design a proposal for civil society and media projects, of which 20 will receive program funding.
Newsletter: Students produce a newsletter to serve as an informational and networking resource as well as a practical skill-building tool.

IREX in the Middle East

Since 2003, IREX and IREX Europe have been implementing regional and country programs in the Middle East and North Africa. The programs provide study and internship opportunities for professionals in the region, foster the development of civil society and professional media, and support basic, secondary, and graduate educational development. IREX maintains a regional office in Beirut, Lebanon with local representatives throughout the region.

Program Contact

For more information about YWLP or other IREX women's empowerment initiatives, e-mail newsroom@irex.org.

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