Female heads of household and women who have been displaced by war in Colombia are becoming more empowered through vocational training and personal development classes provided by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

ADRA’s one-year project, which began in March of 2007, will benefit 240 displaced women and female heads of households between two training centers, one in Cartagena and one in Bogotá. Beneficiaries will receive training in tailoring and cosmetology, providing them with income-generating job skills with which they can support their families.

"These types of careers have more flexible hours, so they will be still be able to take care of their children while working right out of their homes," says Gabriel Villarreal, country director for ADRA Colombia. "The supply kits are also easily portable, so the women can work from any location they choose."

With more than 3.5 million internally displaced persons, Colombia is second only to Sudan in number of IDPs. Colombia’s long-standing civil conflict figures as the primary reason behind the displacement.

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an estimated 49 percent of IDPs in Colombia are adult women, with more than a third of IDP families headed by women. Bogotá and Cartagena have the highest rates of displaced population in the country.

"Women and girls affected by displacement often find themselves in a very difficult place," says Villareal. “Not only are they trying to adjust to a whole new environment, but many female heads of household have no professional skills, and are often responsible for four or five young children. It is by no means an easy situation.”

Beneficiaries will also participate in health education, women’s rights, and personal development classes designed to improve their quality of life and self-esteem. "It is essential that these women learn to recognize their self-worth," states Villareal. "Once each woman appreciates her own value, she will have the confidence to succeed in her chosen trade."

The workshops will be divided into cycles of three-month classes, with 80 women enrolled in each. An estimated 1,200 family members will benefit from this project indirectly.

The project is funded in partnership with ADRA Spain and the Generalitat Valenciana, the local government of Valencia, Spain.

ADRA Colombia operates two additional training centers for displaced women and female heads of household in the cities of Medellín and Saravena.

ADRA has been active in Colombia since 1989, and currently works in the areas of Food Security, Economic Development, Primary Health, Education, and Emergency Management.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org