Livelihood opportunities for rural women in Moldova
Women learning and working in a CWS-supported sewing workshop in Mereni, Moldova.
Photo: CWS
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Some 120 vulnerable women in three rural communities in Moldova, Europe's poorest country, are receiving vocational and basic business education to help increase family incomes, thanks to the Church World Service Livelihood Opportunities for Rural Women project, begun in 2007.
Women and children in rural areas are especially affected by rising unemployment and poverty, and many are exposed to human trafficking and violence.
The Livelihood Opportunities for Rural Women project increases employment opportunities by offering a job placement program and expanding existing clothing production workshops. After completion of the training, some women will be hired by existing workshops while the rest will be able to find employment at private companies through job placement agreements negotiated by the project workshops.
The Church World Service-supported workshop in Mereni village, supervised by Father Vitaly Sharamet, produces clothes, bed linens, and church attire. The local women tell Church World Service that their sewing skills are very marketable, and the workshop jobs earn around $100 per month – empowering them to better provide for their families and future.