In July 2025, a new chapter began for 30 women and girls in Doolow as they embarked on a tie and dye skills training organized by Northern Frontier Youth League (NoFYL) with support from UNICEF. Held at the Women and Girls Safe Space (WGSS), this hands-on training aims not just to teach creative skills, but to open doors to economic independence and self-reliance.
For many of the participants, this is their first opportunity to learn a marketable skill in a safe, supportive environment. Over the course of the training, they are being introduced to techniques of fabric preparation, color mixing, pattern design, and safe handling of dyeing chemicals. The sessions are also complemented by discussions on self-confidence, financial literacy, and peer support.
“I had never imagined I could create something so beautiful with my own hands,” says Hibo*, 23, one of the trainees. “This skill is not just about art, it’s a way for me to earn a living and support my family.”
The training is already having a visible impact on the participants, many of whom are survivors gender-based violence. Beyond the practical skills, the training provides a sense of purpose, belonging, and hope.
“Before this training, I stayed home every day with no work and no income,” shares Ruqiya*, a 32-year-old mother of four. “I want to start a small business at end of the training. I’ve already begun saving ideas for patterns I want to try when I get my startup kit.”
The initiative doesn’t stop at training. Upon completion, all 30 participants will receive startup kits containing essential materials – dye, gloves, soda ash, salt chemicals, and fabrics – to launch their own tie and dye businesses. This approach ensures that the skills learned are immediately put into practice, offering women and girls a pathway to financial empowerment.
By supporting local women and girls through skill-building and economic opportunities, the tie and dye training in Doolow is doing more than just teaching, it’s transforming lives, one design at a time.
“This training is giving me more than a skill,” Hibo adds. “It has given me confidence, and a future I can shape with my own hands.”
*Names changed for privacy*
