A transformative vocational and technical skills training program designed to empower youth in Kurram and Orakzai districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has successfully concluded. This three-month initiative, supported by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), provided 700 young individuals—375 of whom were women—with valuable, market-relevant skills. The training covered areas such as cell phone repair, LED bulb assembly, eco-friendly packaging, jewelry making, motorcycle repair, electrician services, plumbing, solar system installation, and UPS installation.
The closing ceremony, held in Islamabad, celebrated the successful completion of the program, with graduates from Kurram and Orakzai districts receiving certificates and personalized toolkits to help them launch small businesses or seek employment. The event emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment, a key focus of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, which was echoed by the chief guest, Rana Mashood, Chairman of the programme. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan, UNDP, and SRSP for their contributions to empowering young people in remote regions.
As part of a broader initiative to strengthen youth leadership, build climate resilience, and advance girls’ education, participants also engaged in a major dialogue on “Climate Adaptation and Girls’ Education” during the event. Van Nguyen, UNDP Pakistan’s Deputy Resident Representative, highlighted the program’s impact, noting that by equipping both women and men with income-generating skills, the initiative is promoting gender-sensitive economic recovery and stability in the region.
ITO Takeshi, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Japan to Pakistan, praised the longstanding partnership with UNDP, emphasizing efforts to create opportunities for women in community decision-making and economic engagement. He reiterated Japan’s commitment to the “Leave No One Behind” principle in its development work.
This program is part of a larger USD 4.1 million initiative focused on stabilizing and revitalizing the economic recovery in Kurram and Orakzai through a community-driven approach. The project places youth and women at its core, aiming to benefit over 200,000 people, with half of them being women, fostering greater social cohesion, local governance, and livelihood opportunities in the region.
