Description:
Problem:
Donetsk
region is situated on the southeast of Ukraine
(one of the republics of the former USSR).
The population in Donetsk region is about
5 millions of people. The number of working
population is 1,410,300 people. Donetsk
region has enormous industrial potential
and the most crisis social sphere and extremely
high percentage of unemployment. Transition
to the economical changes in Ukraine showed
unreadiness of the governmental bodies and
population to the new conditions. This led
to the social tension, unemployment, and
fall of living standards. High level of
poverty among population resulted in low
self-esteem and paying no attention to themselves,
especially among women. Women suffer both
from the lack of self-esteem and lack of
modern professional skills and this don't
give them the chance to compete on the labor
market. For the past 10 years the number
of working population in the region declined
from 2,135,400 people to 1,410,300 people,
and for women these numbers are from 1,235,900
women to 704,500 women.
The level of unemployment in Donetsk region
is 2,75%, and among them 65,6% are women.
This number in especially high in rural
and coal-mining places.
Ukraine is making attempts to solve this
problem. Some work is done by the State
Centers of Employment, such Centers work
in each city and town of the region. But
they are not always successful, and the
reasons for this are: people have stereotypes
that appealing to such center is the last
thing to do, because they can not give you
the real help; teaching techniques are not
flexible to the rapidly changing world around
and the reason for this is that for every
new implementation State Centers of Employment
have to receive an approval from higher
bodies. To some extent the solving of this
problem is provided by State Centers of
Social Services for Youth. But nevertheless
the main burden lies on the shoulders of
NGOs. The problem is that there are only
few of them (in Donetsk region there are
2 of them) and they are experiencing shortage
of financing. They are not economically
sustainable.
Donetsk BPW (voluntary, nonprofit, nonpolitical
organization, established on December 19,
1995 and registered by the State Justice
Department of Donetsk Region on May 8, 1996)
works in the field of assistance to women
who are in crisis situations, which are
connected with economic dependence, violence
and trafficking.
Implementing this project BPW -Donetsk is
working in the collaboration with local
governmental bodies. BPW is a social partner
of Regional Center of Employment and Chief
Department of Economy in consulting and
training of unemployed women from the whole
Donetsk region. Regional State TeleRadioCompany
in cooperation with BPW-Donetsk is producing
30-minutes monthly TV program "Women
for women", in which the urgent problems
of women are highlighted, and the ways of
its solution are proposed.
Objective:
To help women to help themselves to raise
their self-esteem and find job or create
a work place for themselves through teaching
and developing, professional and business
skills.
Target groups:
Unemployed women of
any age from Donetsk region.
Approaches:
1.
BPW-Donetsk provides women with possibility
to receive free of charge knowledge and
skills necessary for obtaining work. This
is provided through:
• |
2-days
and 1-day trainings: |
|
- |
“Women
human rights”, |
|
- |
“Women’s
leadership”, |
|
- |
“How
to get a job” |
• |
job
skills courses (eight lessons, 1 hour
each, during a month): |
|
- |
"Computer
basics", |
|
- |
"Elements
of computer graphic",
|
|
- |
"Fundamentals
of Office Work", |
|
- |
"Speaking
Business English", |
|
- |
"Waitressing
Skills" |
The
aim is to give women great motivation
through trainings and courses, so
women can look for job by herself
and not wait for state or somebody
to do it for them, and also not to
be afraid to loose job. |
2. BPW-Donetsk gives
opportunity for women to get self-employed
or start conducting their own business.
This is provided
through:
• |
Long
term course “How to start own
business” (6 hours five times
a week during two months) |
• |
2-days
trainings: |
|
- |
“Women’s
business is successful one” |
|
- |
“Through
self-employment to business” |
• |
professional
courses (eight lessons, 1 hour each,
during a month): |
|
- |
"Elements
of computer graphic" |
|
- |
"Waitressing
Skills" |
Here
women are taught to be self-reliant and
create working place not only for themselves,
but for others as well.
Besides, we teach them to share their knowledge
and skills with other women. After finding
job or opening a business women become mentors
of BPW-Donetsk. They share her knowledge
and experience during courses and trainings.
Those, who opened their business, invite
women to practice at their working places.
Implementation
plan:
| 1.
To look for funding for sociological
research concerning the situation with
women’s unemployment and business
|
till
09.1998 |
| 2. To receive
funding and to adopt budget (funding
was received from Renaissance Foundation) |
till
10.1998 |
| 3. To study the
level of unemployment in Donetsk region |
11.1998-03.1999 |
| 4. To study the
level of development of women’s
entrepreneurship in Donetsk region through
sociological research |
11.1998-03.1999 |
| 5. To prepare
Analytical report and results of sociological
research “Women of the
Donetsk region and small business”
and publish it |
till 09.1999 |
6. To work
out the programs of trainings:
- “Women human rights”,
- “Women’s leadership”,
- “How to get a job”,
- “Women’s business
is successful one”,
- “Through self-employment
to business”
|
till
09.1999 |
| 7. To select and
teach trainers for conducting trainings |
1999 |
8. To work
out the programs of job skills courses:
- "Computer basics",
- "Elements of computer
graphic",
- "Fundamentals of
Office Work",
- "Speaking Business
English",
- "Waitressing Skills"
|
till
09.1999 |
| 9. To select consultants-trainers
for job skills courses |
1999 |
| 10. To work out
the plan of long-term course “How
to start own business” |
till 11.1999 |
| 11. To select
trainers-lectures for long-term course
“How to start own business” |
1999 |
| 12. To prepare
and conduct Second International Scientific-Practical
Conference “Women and
Business” on the results
of the analytical report and results
of sociological research “Women
of the Donetsk region and small business”
|
till
10.1999 |
| 13. To look for
funding for implementing project “Helping
women in crisis situations through their
self-development” |
during
1999 |
| 14. To receive
funding and to adopt budget (funding
was received from Winrock International) |
till
10.1999 |
| 15. To develop
and conduct advertising campaign about
helping women in crisis situations through
their self-development in Mass Media
and through volunteers |
1999-2002 |
| 16. To lobby in
Ukrainian State Committee of TV the
creation of the series of Regional TV
programs “Women for women”
devoted to helping women in crisis situations
|
till
07.1999 |
17.
To work out the plan of per month
30-minutesTV programs
“Women for women”
|
since 09.1999 |
18. Everyday
work:
- confidential consultation for
women, provided by social pedagogues,
psychologists, lawyers, each day;
- individual work with women on
creation of individual plan of getting
out of crisis situation through looking
for a job and/or creation of own business;
- organization of trainings, 12
trainings per month in Donetsk and
Donetsk region
- organization of job skills courses,
10 groups per month, in Donetsk
- organization of long-term course
in Donetsk 1999-2002
(the work is continued) |
since September,
1999 |
| 19. To organize
and conduct informational round tables
in Donetsk region for regional, city
and district governmental bodies on
the problems of helping women in crisis
situation or starting own business |
since
September, 1999 |
| 20. To organize
and create on women’s money Women’s
Credit Union “ Success”,
for financial supporting women in crisis
situation or starting own business |
since
12.2000 |
Results:
| Services
received by girls and women: |
During
three years |
| •
individual consultations of social pedagogues,
psychologists |
3778 |
| • legal
consultations |
1095 |
| • individual
consultations regarding the problems
of employment, self-employment and starting
own business |
6876 |
| • business
consultations |
35 |
| • 1-2 days
trainings "Women's leadership",
"Women's Human Rights", "How
to get a job", "Women's business
is successful one"; "Through
self- employment to business" |
7276 |
| • Skills
on the courses “Computer basics”,
“Elements of computer graphic”,
“Fundamentals of Office Work”,
“Waitressing skills”, “Speaking
Business English” |
3680 |
| • received
consultations about starting own business |
1120 |
| • two-month
course “How to start own business” |
222,
among them –
5 family spouses |
| Due
to the knowledge in the BPW-Donetsk
girls and women informed, that they |
| • found
job |
730 |
| • received
another education or qualification |
112 |
| • started
own business |
396 |
| • started
and re-organized their business |
95 |
| • created
job places |
118 |
53% among those women
and girls became mentors for all newcomers
to the BPW Donetsk
Project Team:
During , the project
team include:
Ludmila Gorova(President)
Young BPW participation:
Savchenko Natalia
member of Board of Directors of BPW- Donetsk
, lawyer
Chebotuk Katerina
member of Board of Directors of BPW- Donetsk
, trainer-consultant on “Fundamentals
of Office Work”
Pilipchenko Katerina
BPW -Donetsk member, trainer-consultant
Samoilova Svetlana
BPW- Donetsk member, trainer
Kuleshove Elena
BPW- Donetsk member, trainer
Raspopina Irina
BPW- Donetsk member, trainer
Ampilogova Elena
BPW- Donetsk member, trainer.
Evidence:
Here
are some stories and photographs.
Olena Dumbai Donetsk
"Studying
at the BPW-Donetsk fundamentally changed
my life"
My
name is Olena Dumbai, and I'm a mathematician
by training. After I finished university,
I worked as an instructor of mathematics
at College. When my son was born, I found
we couldn't make ends meet. My son was sick
and I couldn't think of anything else but
how to make more money. I hoped my parents
could help me - at that time, my father
had his own renovation and construction
business, working on large government projects
in our region, but business had slowed down
to a trickle. My mother was laid off. I
understood that only I could change my situation
for the better.
And
then life decided things for us. My father
gave me his business and my mother took
care of my son, and I was to arrange things
so that I would support not only my own
family but my parents as well. Life now
meant traveling between Donetsk and Horlivka,
dealing with problems constantly, and this
couldn't help but have an effect on my married
life. My husband and I cared about our child
but were no more than friends.
Then
life smiled on me. BPW-Donetsk announced
a selection training for participating in
a business course. After passing through
the training, I began my studies. I found
the material interesting and stimulating,
and I knew I couldn't let down my family,
who had such high hopes in me.
Right
after the course ended, I registered as
a private entrepreneur. I put together a
work brigade of three specialists and borrowed
money from a friend. When at last some profit
came from our work, I understood we had
already passed through our baptism by fire.
In seven months, I was able to return the
loan, and after that, I was on my way. Now
I look with confidence at the future and
dream of expanding my business. I would
like to manufacture the paints which we
use in our work.
Studying
at the BPW-Donetsk fundamentally changed
my life. Practical experience and constant
efforts to improve gave me a strong theoretical
background, especially in marketing. I was
particularly taken by this subject. In December
2000, the director of the BPW asked me to
share my experience with her students. I
must have been a success because afterwards,
they asked me to teach marketing at the
courses. I really enjoy this work. I'm grateful
for the opportunity to help women start
their own businesses.”
Tetiana
H. Donetsk
"Before
visiting the BPW-Donetsk, I hesitated for
the whole month …"
After
I finished school I changed jobs and then
was out of work for some time: I was on
maternity leave, I had a small child, and
I hen I was laid off. I couldn't find work
for a long time. I was on the register of
unemployed at the Employment Office and
each lime I would go there, I would become
more disappointed. It's sad lo think that
you're not needed by anyone, that you've
been tossed on the garbage heap of life.
Depression settled over me and it touched
my whole family.
I
learned about BPW from television. Not only
the name interested me, but the kinds of
activities described. I wrote down the phone
number and address. For a whole month I
wavered: "To go or not to go."
I knew they wouldn't have a job to offer
me, but I decided it would at least lift
my spirits.
Even
though it was during their lunch break,
the staff welcomed me. They suggested that
I sign up for the training "Gender
Equality" and even though I didn't
really understand what this word "gender"
meant, I followed their advice. I certainly
had the free time so I agreed. The group
was wonderful, respectful of one another,
but even in that environment it was difficult
for me to open up. I realized that I have
a lot to learn. During the two years when
I was unemployed, I had lost my communication
skills.
After
a training on the job search process, I
understood what was holding me back from
finding work even when vacancies were advertised.
My insecurities prevented potential employers
from seeing in me a qualified specialist.
I signed up for a meeting with one of the
consultants at the BPW. Her sensitivity
and even-temper were so calming that I was
able to focus on what I could do to improve
myself and I began to read various materials.
I became convinced that my lack of success
in finding a job was due to my behavior,
my nervousness and lack of self-esteem.
After
the trainings and computer courses, I became
more confident. I put together a resume
with the help of the staff at the BPW. The
Employment Center then notified me about
two vacancies. I went over everything I
had learned at the BPW. I practiced in front
of the mirror, read the relevant legislation
and thought it all through. I came across
with dignity and conviction. I was nervous
but knew I had a resume that presented me
well. And today I am working in an important
government institution.
When
I was invited to the BPW to describe my
success to participants of the trainings,
I gladly agreed. I spoke about how what
I had learned at the BPW had been critical.
I like my new job and the people I work
with.
I
want to help women who are going through
difficult times and can't find work. I now
know that so much depends on the individual.
But that individual must value herself and
be proud of her accomplishments. A woman
must spread her wings and move forward.”
Contact:
Ludmila Gorova
tel. (062) 334-20-43, 334-34-43
fax (062)334-20-43
e-mail: postmaster@liga.donetsk.ua
web-site: www.liga-bpw.dn.ua
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