Women"s training and advisory services (OPG), project no. 517-0146 : project assistance completion report

The project far exceeded targets. The implementing agency, Accion Pro-Educacion y Cultura (APEC), recruited and screened 5,200 women and provided skills training to 1,328 -- more than twice the target number. Of the trainees, 1,127 received training in human resources and 132 in microbusiness management, while 341 received individual counseling in legal matters and psychological problems. The project adapted well to specific needs of the participants and realities of the job market. By the end of the project, about 46% of the registered women were working, as compared to 2% when the project started. Although income benefits are hard to measure, some 56% of women interviewed reported having a monthly income above the minimum wage, as compared to 5% before the project. APEC continues to provide training through the center established under the project, and a rotating fund has been established to finance microenterprises initiated through the project. The project demonstrated that women in low-income, marginal neighborhoods can increase their income with a little additional training, proper guidance, and individual willingness. However, one of the major difficulties was the lack of credit for the target group.