ZENZ supports young women in Uganda

In Kampala, thousands of young women are forced into prostitution in order to support themselves and their children. Several of them come from rural areas to Uganda's capital with promises of good job opportunities. 

ZENZ supports Plan International Denmark's efforts to get these young women out of their unhappy situation. They get the opportunity to make money by giving them a free hairdressing education and through a local partner Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL), Plan International Denmark supports girls and young women in taking control of their own lives, finding a way out of prostitution and gaining a belief that their voices are important to society. 

Our collaboration with Plan International Denmark makes it possible to provide hope and new opportunities for many vulnerable young women.

"At ZENZ, we are constantly working to make the world an even better place to live in for everyone. Not only do we want a healthier and cleaner environment and climate, our goal is also to promote equality between men and women. Among other things, we can help when we support Plan International Denmark's entrepreneurial project for young girls in Uganda, where the girls are helped out of prostitution and instead receive education and jobs so that they can have a more secure future,” explains Anne Sophie Skjødt Willumsen and Jørgen Skjødt, who passionately tell about their work.

TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE CHANGE 

At ZENZ we work with a promise to always do better with respect for people and the planet these includes supporting partner's promote and work for good health, gender equality and quality education.

With support from Plan International Denmark, the girls in Kampala get the opportunity to learn a craft, while their children are in a kindergarten Plan International Denmark has established. The mothers are trained as tailors or hairdressers. In addition, mothers are also taught children's well-being, nutrition and health.

"We are convinced that when we help and support others, we can spread our vision of creating a better world for all of us. ZENZ believes that if you can make a difference, then you should make a difference, ” explains Jørgen Skjødt.

Our partners are carefully selected. They must be able to document that they are behaving responsibly locally as well as globally. ZENZ is constantly working to be a forerunner for our colleagues in the industry by leading the way, and we believe that together we can make a difference. It is our hope that through a collaboration with Plan International Denmark, it is possible to make a difference for those who really need it.

"It is absolutely crucial that companies like ZENZ show social responsibility and join us in the fight to promote World Goal 5: gender equality," says Dorthe Petersen, director of Plan International Denmark.

FACTS :

Girls and young women girls are taught a subject that guarantees them an income.

Three out of four girls who have already received an education through the project have subsequently gotten jobs.

One in four girls has opened their own salon or business.

400 young women are taught a subject that provides them with an income.

200-300 children from 0-8 years get a safe place to be while their mothers work.

A PROJECT FOR A BETTER LIFE 

Once the young women have completed their internship period, they are helped to get an apprenticeship with a hairdresser or tailor. The Plan International Denmark follows the women throughout the process and also advises them on how to start a store together. Among other things, they also contribute with sewing machines, start-up capital and guidance.

“Girls' rights and opportunities are secured by giving them new skills and employment that can help them move on from an otherwise impossible situation. Companies like ZENZ and their customers help to make this possible, ” explains Dorthe Petersen.

The women who take part in the project not only receive money to feed themselves and their families, they also receive help to process their harsh past.

“Women are helped to process trauma and to rebuild self-confidence and the belief that they have value as human beings. We support them with psychosocial treatment and contact with role models who are former sex workers, ” concludes Dorthe Petersen.

With the project in Kampala, ZENZ is supporting the UN's world goals #3,#4 and #5. Read more here.