A 2022 report by UN Women, titled “Green Jobs for Women in Africa”, highlights Uganda’s potential in green industries like renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, driven by its growing population and natural resources. However, women face challenges entering these sectors due to socio-cultural norms and biases, and an under-representation in decision-making roles, rather than purely educational access.
GreenVET4U’s work in Uganda aligns closely with the findings of the UN Women report. By tackling socio-cultural barriers and offering women the skills, education, and opportunities needed to enter green industries, we aim to create a more inclusive and sustainable future. GreenVET4U is dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth in Uganda by providing resources to develop innovative curricula for Vocational Education and Training (VET) that aligns with the emerging green economy. VET programs addressing these challenges, are vital for equipping women with the skills needed to thrive in these industries.
The UN Women report emphasizes the need for policy interventions to improve gender equality, such as providing better access to training, inclusive policies, and encouraging the involvement of women in leadership roles. One of the key project results of GreenVET4U is the development of Guidelines with recommendations for the design and delivery of innovative curricula. This reference document, aimed at educational providers and policymakers, will provide a coherent set of practical recommendations for the creation of curricula and the validation of skills through micro-credentials for green jobs in Uganda. The guidelines are based on the Exploratory Report on Microcredentials-based validation for green jobs and feedback from testing phases in eco-tourism and waste management sectors.
