Koica, Unicef complete $5.94m project to boost young women's employment

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (koica) and Unicef have completed a $5.94 million project aimed at equipping out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Bangladesh with skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

Titled "Empowering out-of-school adolescent girls and young women with market-driven occupational skills, transferable skills, and job placements", the project was funded by the South Korean government and implemented by Unicef in collaboration with government agencies and local partners. It ran from July 2022 to September 2026 across seven districts.

It reached nearly 17,000 girls and young women aged 15–24, providing vocational and transferable skills training, workplace apprenticeships, employment support and entrepreneurship assistance, according to a press release issued today (12 October).

The initiative also connected aspiring entrepreneurs with financial institutions to help them access relevant financial services.

The project's closing ceremony was held in Dhaka, with State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Boby Hajjaj attending as chief guest.

Boby said technical skills should be complemented by communication skills to help young people present themselves confidently and adapt to different situations.

"Skill development is vital for our young people, but technical skills alone are not enough. Communication skills must also be prioritised, so that Bangladesh's youth can present themselves confidently and adapt to any situation in the future," he added.

The Country Director of Koica Bangladesh said the project reflected South Korea's commitment to investing in young women's skills and potential to promote inclusive economic growth.

Its significance lay not only in the number of participants reached but also in connecting skills development with employment, entrepreneurship and greater economic independence, the country director said, adding that KOICA would continue working with the Bangladesh government and development partners to support inclusive and sustainable development.

The project also sought to address social barriers limiting young women's participation in education and economic activities through community engagement and social and behaviour change initiatives.

Unicef Representative a.i. in Bangladesh Gillian Mellsop said the initiative had created practical pathways for young women excluded from formal education by connecting them with employers, communities and public institutions.

She stressed the importance of sustaining and adapting these approaches to expand opportunities for future learners.

The project's approach aligns with the government's efforts to expand non-formal education and skills development, including the Bureau of Non-Formal Education's Alternative Learning Opportunities programme and the expansion of the SKILFO model.