Gender Analysis: Technical Vocational Education and Training Strengthening for At-Risk Youth (TVET SAY) Project

The project seeks to understand gender differences between young women and men who live in at-risk situations in the project's areas of interest. The analysis was carried out using the six gender analysis domains developed by the Interagency Gender Working Group (IGWG), which are: access; knowledge, beliefs, and perception; practices and participation; space and time; regulatory environment; and decision-making and power. The methodology employed involved reviewing pertinent documentation and holding interviews with directors, teachers, university presidents, and other academic authorities in western Nicaragua, as well as at the Bluefields Indian and Caribbean University (BICU) and the University of the Autonomous Regions of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua (URACCAN) in Bluefields. The research showed that within the overall population, 51% are women and that 61% are under 19 years of age. Women have a greater likelihood of living in extreme poverty, and woman-headed households make up 38.1% of the total. This situation is more frequent in urban areas, where 40.9% of households are headed by women, compared to only 17.8% of rural households. There are fewer women than men participating in the labor market, with a participation rate of 44.6% in urban areas and 27.3% in rural settings. Women's participation in the labor market is conditioned by their reproductive role. Although women report a higher level of education, they earn 55% of the amount paid to men in urban areas and only 24% in the countryside. Only 15% of rural women own property. Women make up 70% of technical education students in fields related to commerce and services, 25% in agro-forestry, and 10% in industry and construction. More than half the technical careers offered are dominated by women, with 55% of students in these fields being female. The analysis also highlights the importance of access to education and training for young women and men. The research showed that women have a higher level of education than men, but they are less likely to participate in the labor market. The project aims to address these disparities by providing training and education opportunities for young women and men, with a focus on promoting gender equality and empowering at-risk youth. The TVET SAY project has identified several key areas for intervention, including improving access to education and training for young women and men, promoting gender equality in the labor market, and addressing the reproductive role of women in the labor market. The project aims to achieve these goals through a range of activities, including training and education programs, job placement services, and advocacy and awareness-raising activities. The project's findings have important implications for policy and programming in Nicaragua. The research highlights the need for policies and programs that address the specific needs and challenges of young women and men, particularly those living in at-risk situations. The project's recommendations for improving access to education and training, promoting gender equality in the labor market, and addressing the reproductive role of women in the labor market are critical for achieving these goals. Overall, the TVET SAY project aims to promote gender equality and empower at-risk youth in Nicaragua. The project's research and analysis have identified key areas for intervention and have provided recommendations for improving access to education and training, promoting gender equality in the labor market, and addressing the reproductive role of women in the labor market.