JEDDAH, 1 May 2005 — Thirty-five women in Hail graduated last Tuesday from a training program that will prepare them to enter the job market. The women graduated in cooking, small-scale food industries, tailoring and fashion design after attending a three-month program.
Princess Hala Al-Asheikh, wife of Prince Saud ibn Abdul Mohsen, governor of Hail, presented them with certificates during the graduation ceremony.
The training program was organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) under the supervision of Dr. Mona Al-Munajjed, a Saudi sociologist, and in cooperation with Aja Charity Society for Women in Hail. The program was financed by Abdul Latif Jameel Ltd. as part of its development projects.
Two UN projects by ESCWA have been launched in Saudi Arabia and a third one is under discussion. The first project is being implemented in close coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Its aim is to improve the level of output of NGOs and build work relations, according to Dr. Al-Munajjed. Two workshops have already been completed, one on how to organize and plan an event and the second on how to start your own business.
The second project aims to train women in rural areas in income generating skills. It consists of courses lasting between three to four months in such skills as cooking, tailoring, hairdressing and makeup. The program that concluded in Hail on Tuesday was part of this project.
Both projects are directed toward Saudi women and will be conducted in different parts of the Kingdom.
