Empowering Women to Build Sustainable Livelihoods in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement

Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda — An ongoing initiative is empowering 240 refugee and host-community women in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement with practical skills and business knowledge to strengthen their livelihoods and improve their economic independence.

Implemented by John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre (JPIIJPC) with grant support from AMAP, the initiative is providing women with market-oriented vocational training in soap making, catering, hairdressing, apiary, and agribusiness.

The training goes beyond vocational skills. Participants are also gaining knowledge in financial literacy, business planning, marketing, customer care, record keeping, and regulatory compliance, equipping them with the skills needed to establish and manage sustainable income-generating activities.

The initiative is also supporting the formation of women entrepreneurs’ networks, creating spaces where women can share knowledge, mentor one another, build business connections, and collectively address challenges affecting their economic participation.

The empowerment activities are still ongoing, with women continuing to acquire new skills and strengthen their capacity to engage in income-generating activities. The initiative seeks to enable women to become more economically resilient, support their families, and contribute more meaningfully to the development of their communities.

By investing in women’s skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial capacity, JPIIJPC is contributing to a future where refugee and host-community women in Bidibidi can have greater control over their livelihoods and opportunities for sustainable economic empowerment.