1. Moving towards Empowered Lives
Zig Zag machine embroidery training for Women in Booni Chitral
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Under the women empowerment component of Programme for Economic Advancement and Community Empowerment, SRSP has started a series of skill developing training events for poor women community members of Malakand division enabling them to make over their skills into earnings and contribute to household income leading to their empowerment and self-reliance.
Handy craft has been one of the core specialties of women in Chitral. With the changing times, the trends and designs of handy craft has also been changing. Modern technology has been introduced for making bad covers, decoration pieces and wall hangings etc and this has given a new dimension to the sector. With reducing the time required to a great extent, these have also expanded business opportunities. In this regard, a 10 days training in Zig Zag machine for 22 local women was organized district Chitral. Overall objective of the training was to facilitate women in learning newly introduced technology and could be able to run an enterprise.
22 participants were selected for 10 days Zigzag embroidery training from WCOs at UCs Charun & laspur, Poverty score card exercise was already exercised for identification of poor households.
The training methodology was very interesting, reflecting dynamics of local market demands and provided best knowledge about the usage of machines with practical exercises.
The participatory approach gave an opportunity to each and every participant with a boost in confidence. The training was conducted in three phases.
Step one comprised of delivering knowledge machines and its usage followed by awareness and session on creating new designs of handy crafts through the machines. As a final step, the I am much confident that now I can do the designing and I have to do a lot of practice to compete the market, says Zarnisa of chitral Summer (May to October) is considered as marriage season in Chitral, which will provide a great opportunity for the learners to utilize acquired knowledge and skill and best foundation for setting up business.

2. participants were given an opportunity to Show their Creativity through presentation of innovative designs.
On completion of training, participants were awarded certificates and toolkits in the presence of a local women entrepreneur ‘Miss Zialqaida’, the chief guest, who applauded the efforts of SRSP Chitral and urged the trainees to utilize the newly acquired skills. The ceremony was also attended by the representatives of WCOs.