New Moroccan association offers vocational training to women

2009-02-17

A new association in Agadir will help women acquire vocational skills, literacy, and awareness about their rights, all while respecting local culture and customs.

Naoufel Cherkaoui from Rabat – 17/02/09

[Getty Images] The Tilila Association aims to train women in sewing, cooking and ceramics.

The founding assembly of the Tilila Association for Feminine Arts convened in Agadir on February 7th to discuss offering local women vocational training. Tilila has already received 39 applications to attend classes. The association is currently in the process of selecting the various courses it wishes to offer, such as sewing, cooking, and ceramics.

"We decided to establish the association," said Khadija Eidouas, head of Tilila, "since the area lacked any association for women' vocational training. We are also responding to the insistent requests of many women… There was an evident need to set up a place for training where they can learn trades so as to be able to make their own living, particularly as they belong to the poorer strata of society."

Eidouas explained that she acquired experience in women's vocational training two years ago when she established a small factory for handcrafts.

"The association is planning to give priority to homemakers, especially those who live in dire conditions, so as to teach them certain useful vocations," affirmed Tilila Secretary-General Ibrahim Fadel. "The association will also offer full support to women who aspire to establish small profit-making businesses to increase their income, and boost their families' economic standards."

Tilila will rely on self-financing from members' contributions, donations and aid offered by local councils, in accordance with the association's statute.

"The association will pay special attention to eliminating adult illiteracy in order to enable local women to face present-day requirements," noted Fadel. "Additionally, the association will hold training workshops in the field of project planning. The association is also studying the idea of holding workshops to raise legal awareness, as well as classes in hygiene for women."

"The association is planning on drafting an annual activities program in collaboration with civil society," Fadel stated.

Tilila Association for Feminine Arts will take special care to respect the local culture and help preserve the cultural heritage of the region. Its programmes are part of the national human resources initiative, as well as the national development programme.

"We will benefit a great deal from the association, since there are many women who wish to learn a vocation in order to make their own living," said Ruqayya, a trainee. "The association is helping me learn certain trades, as I used to be unemployed with no education or income."