Women's Economic Empowerment
Women's Economic Empowerment Programme
The Path out of Poverty
Our mission is to reach underserved women in rural Uganda who run small businesses to support their families but have been left behind. We pair practical business skills, fair access to working capital and mentorship to help them build their own pathways out of poverty.
Reimagining development means designing approaches that address the root causes of poverty and giving women the agency to decide for themselves what these solutions need to look like. It requires working within local realities, strengthening existing community structures, and enabling people to drive their own progress.
Our programme is not just about empowerment. It’s about building self-sustaining solutions that allow women and their children to rise above poverty with dignity and hope. Showing them that their hope for the future rests within their own hands.
How we support women
Skills, savings, capital and ongoing business mentorship work together to help women build sustainable livelihoods and boost economic inclusion.
01
Skills & Financial Training
Practical skills and financial knowledge help women earn an income, understand their costs and plan for their businesses.
02
Savings Behaviours
Regular group meetings help women build savings habits, plan ahead and support one another as they work towards their goals.
03
Start-up & working capital
Capital for stock, tools and productive assets helps women put their skills into practice and develop their enterprises.
04
Mentorship & ongoing support
Local coordinators provide continued guidance, helping women strengthen their businesses and work through challenges along the way.
The First Phase
Where we started
Our programme began by bringing women together to develop practical skills and strengthen their ability to earn. Training in soap-making and other income-generating activities was paired with financial education to help women put those skills into practice.
Alongside this, women formed savings groups, meeting regularly to save, share experiences and support one another. These groups created a foundation for continued learning, stronger financial habits and the development of individual and shared enterprises.
Meet Our Entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs are everywhere in Uganda, running small businesses to support their families. Here are just a few whose ingenuity and ambition Hands of Hope Africa is helping turn into sustainable livelihoods.
Hair Dressing
Lydia runs a small salon business and has grown her income through practical skills, savings support and working capital.
Tailoring
Carol has expanded her tailoring business with finance and business support designed around her needs.
Animal Rearing
Agnes has used support to build her livestock business and strengthen income for her household.
