At least 20 trainees drawn from several women groups in Yambio County of Western Equatoria State last week concluded a three-month training in tailoring. 

The training that commenced in January aimed at empowering women and making them self-reliant.

Speaking during their graduation ceremony, the executive director of Self Help Women Development Organization (SHWDO), Grace William Bakata, said the training aimed to empower women to become self-reliant.

“Today we have achieved what we were looking for to empower our women to train them to be self-reliance,” Bakata said. “Our aim is for these women to go back to their various groups and continue using the machines to support their groups. They are active and are committed to their work that is why SHWDO is very happy today.” 

Hana Richard Paul, one of the participants, said did not know anything about sewing clothes before the training but that she can now make different fashions of clothing and that the sewing machine will make her earn money. 

“Before I was not able to use a tailoring machine but now am a real engineer in that. So group helped us and we shall also help other women,” Hana said. 

Teresa Woduapai, another trainee who graduated, called on her fellow women in the state to join the local women groups for them to acquire similar skills and promised to share the skills she acquired with others.

She said, “My advice to all women is that they should join a group to get more knowledge so that they can be able to sustain their lives. Even the old people are also advised to join the groups to learn what they did not get in their childhood.”

The women were awarded certificates of completion and given tailoring machines.