(Supported by British Asian Trust)
The Charter for Compassion (CFC) Nanakwara Centre has emerged as a beacon of hope, transformation, and empowerment for women in the local community. By providing vocational skills training, the CFC equips women with the tools they need to secure employment, start businesses, and achieve financial independence. These tailored programs not only uplift individual participants but also contribute to the economic and social development of entire families and communities. Below is an in-depth exploration of the program’s success stories, highlighting the life-changing work of the CFC.
CFC’s vocational training programs have opened up diverse career paths for participants, helping them break free from financial dependence and create new opportunities. The stories of the women who have benefited from the centre’s offerings reveal the profound impact of targeted skills development.
CFC’s efforts to secure employment for participants in local salons have given women invaluable real-world experience. Although the starting salaries are modest, these entry-level positions offer the chance to learn advanced beauty techniques and customer service skills. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), skilled beauticians often command much higher wages as their expertise grows, particularly in urban areas where premium services are in demand. By placing participants in smaller salons, CFC ensures they build strong foundational skills that will serve them well as they progress in their careers (Buvinić & O’Donnell, 2017).
All participants unanimously agree on the value of the training provided. To provide a comparison, similar high-quality vocational training programs in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi, are generally quite expensive, depending on the course and duration. Given that the average household income of participants at the CFC Nanakwara Centre is relatively modest, it would be nearly impossible for them to afford such training programs at full cost. The Centre's ability to offer these programs free of charge has been a life-changing opportunity, enabling women from low-income households to gain valuable skills and education that would otherwise remain inaccessible. Many participants had previously attempted to enroll in similar courses at other institutions but were forced to drop out due to prohibitive costs. CFC has removed this financial barrier, making it possible for women to pursue meaningful careers without the burden of debt.
Despite high demand and long waiting lists, CFC’s programs have proven to be both accessible and effective. Most participants learned about the courses through word-of-mouth, reflecting the strong sense of community surrounding the Centre. One participant even discovered the program through a poster, a testament to CFC’s expanding outreach efforts. However, there remains room for growth in outreach, particularly through digital and social media platforms.
One of the most rewarding aspects of CFC’s training programs is the direct impact on participants’ household economic stability. Women who were once financially dependent on others are now contributing to their families’ incomes, in many cases turning subsistence into stability. A successful dressmaker shared that her income now covers her son’s school fees, ensuring his continued education. This kind of success story highlights the ripple effect of empowering women through vocational training. The benefits extend beyond the participants themselves, uplifting entire families. Research supports that when women gain financial independence through vocational education, the overall socio-economic condition of their families improves (Dey & Devi, 2019). Participants employed in beauty salons and teaching roles have also spoken about how their earnings are helping to cover household expenses, from groceries to utility bills, reducing the financial burden on their families.
Bala, M. R. G. (2023). Impact of skill development programmes for financial empowerment of women. International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research.
Ogema, E. A., Bundi, Z. M., Mkutu, A., & Omollo, D. (2021). The role of vocational training centers in socioeconomic empowerment of women in Nakuru Town, Kenya. International Journal of Research In Business and Social Science, 10(3), 380-390.
Phala, M., & Mukonza, R. (2021). The effectiveness of vocational training and access to finance in alleviating poverty among women in rural South Africa. African Journal of Gender, Society and Development.
Nazir, T., Vaida, N., & Dar, M. A. (2012). The impact of vocational training courses on knowledge and adoption of rural women in Kashmir.
Buvinić, M., & O’Donnell, M. (2017). Gender matters in economic empowerment interventions: A research review. Development Economics: Women.
Dey, S., & Devi, P. (2019). Impact of TVET on labour market outcomes and women’s empowerment in rural areas: A case study from Cachar district, Assam. Indian Journal of Human Development, 13, 357-371.