In order to take advantage of post-earthquake employment opportunities in the sectors with strong growth potential that are traditionally dominated by men, young girls are being trained in five vocational areas not considered traditional for women—carpentry and woodwork, heavy machinery, masonry, plumbing, and electrical work. In an economy with a low GDP growth rate and high unemployment, job opportunities for young girls from poor backgrounds are virtually non-existent, with the exception of work as domestic helpers.

Trainings are held in Port-au-Prince in 2 phases: 500 girls in 2012 and another 500 in 2013. The project was designed after holding consultations in Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitian with potential employers, NGOs, vocational training centers, and young girls.

These initial 500 young girls have been receiving training in various technical areas at a number of centers in Port-au-Prince since October 2012. They participate in the World Bank’s Adolescent Girls Initiative (AGI) program which, by end-2013, in cooperation with the Ministry of Women’s rights and Women’s condition, will have provided training to 1,000 young girls.

The young girls receive a monthly stipend to cover the costs associated with training sessions. They are also accompanied in their neighborhood by recognized community organizations, in charge of encouraging and assist them in case of problems that would prevent them from continuing the training.

To improve the evidence base on what works to increase the employability of young girls and facilitate their entrance into labor markets, an impact evaluation will be carried out. The impact evaluation will focus on whether the AGI intervention increased the skills of young girls and/or increased their employment outcomes. Also, it will try to assess whether the mix of vocational, mentoring, stipend and life skills provided increases in the empowerment and agency of young girls.