Challenges

Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the working conditions of women in Colombia deteriorated dramatically and gender gaps widened. The unemployment rate for women reached 26.2 percent in July 2020, 10 percentage points higher than the unemployment rate for men, an inequality gap between that doubled compared to the previous year.

Additionally, the pandemic increased the levels of gender-based violence against women and girls, which has an impact on society, as it represents an obstacle not only to the achievement of equality, but also to sustainable development and peace. Given the above, it is a priority to promote productive strategies for women to acquire new technological and vocational knowledge and training related to their economic and social well-being.

Toward a Solution

To address this challenge, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (T?KA), provided support to the project Casas de Mujeres Empoderadas (Houses of Empowered Women). This programme was led by the Vice Presidency of the Republic of Colombia and managed through the Presidential Council for Equality of Women of the Vice Presidency. The objective is to generate employment opportunities for women throughout different regions in the country, decrease gender-based violence and contribute to closing inequality gaps between men and women.

Through the project, TIKA supported the installation of ten ICT classrooms and donated the necessary office equipment and furniture for the Houses. Houses were established in the cities of Pasto (Nariño), Riohacha (Guajira), Buga (Valle del Cauca), Cúcuta (Norte de Santander), Quibdó (Chocó), Tunja, Monteria, Envigado, Ibague and Inírida. Using modern technologies, these facilities offer training and support to women on entrepreneurship, employability, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM subjects). Mothers attending the vocational courses can access day care in the same facility for their children.

These learning spaces also help reduce the risks of gender violence and provide legal and psychosocial advice in case of violence. The Houses support the Women Free of Violence strategy in the regions, and as such women receive psychological support related to their struggles. The initiative, to date, has benefited more than 10,000 vulnerable women from different regions of Colombia.

The training that the beneficiary women receive in the ICT classrooms not only strengthens their vocational skills and creates and supports their businesses, but it allows women to participate in productive leadership strategies and increases their self-esteem.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, each House receives support from a local authority (government or mayoral office). With access to technological tools, women are able to promote their enterprises and obtain better jobs within the framework of the new requirements of the fourth industrial revolution. Gaining new capacities will have an incredibly positive impact, giving these Colombian women the chance to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the digitization of the economy, which was accelerated by social confinement during COVID-19.