E-Learning & Education


When in 2019 we finally managed to start training 45 women in Kurdistan, I was extremely proud that we had managed to do this. With our trainings, we took the first step to transfer Dutch knowledge and expertise to these women in Iraq. But at the same time, I was aware of the fact that we had to say no to the 400 other women who had responded to our call in a local advertisement within a week. Then 45 women seems like a small number.

Decades of war and under-investment in education have destroyed what was once the best education system in the region. As a result, Iraqi children’s access to quality education has been severely hampered. Today, almost 3 million Iraqi children of school age are not attending school. This means that within 10 years Iraq will have to deal with 3 million adolescents and young adults who have not received a decent education.

This situation has been made worse by Corona. Educational opportunities were already limited, but as a result of corona, schools have been closed for long periods of time. Thus, a whole generation is growing up that will find it difficult to read and write. No education means no access to knowledge and learning skills. That translates into unemployment. And unemployment brings poverty. Poverty generates more frustration and vulnerability. Frustration with vulnerability breeds radicalization. All this leads to a fragile society, to tensions, war and refugee flows.

I have been walking around for a while asking myself how we can reach more women and young people in Iraq, so that we can improve the employability and socio-economic status of many more people. However, the problem is that many of these women come from poor and traditional families.

These families do not allow their daughters and wives to travel to other cities on their own to attend courses. And if they could, they would not have the financial means to do so. In addition, the distances are often great.

That is why we developed an app. With this app, which will be online by May 2022, poorly educated, unemployed women and young people can receive training at their level and then earn money with what they have learned. Independently of where they live and without social, cultural or financial barriers.
With the app, we roughly expect to reach, train and provide employment opportunities for approximately 19 million potential users in Iraq and 240 million potential users in the MENA region.

The population of Iraq is increasing.

The IMF estimated that by 2025, the population of Iraq will reach around 45 million people (now 40 million). Women make up about 55% of the population, or about 20 million people. Of these, 12 million women (56% of 22 million) are between the ages of 14-54 years. Unemployment among the Iraqi population in general is about 12%, while unemployment among women is about 31%. That is about 4 million women. Of these 4 million women, 65% are young people who lack education, employment, or training. In total, this group is made up of about 2.6 million women.

AEREAS OF EXPERTISE

Impressions of my business trips