Ethiopia: STePP Industrial Vocational Training Programme in Africa
Ethiopia
Female sanitary shorts sewing techniques（ITOCHU Corporation, Be-A Japan）
Background
In Ethiopia and several developing countries in Africa, women lack access to sanitary products due to various economic and social factors. Ethiopia has been significantly hit by the recent global inflation, with an inflation rate of 29.1% during 2023, which is expected to exacerbate the issue by making it difficult for many women and girls to access appropriate sanitary products from increased financial pressure. There is also concern that cheaper unhygienic alternatives may be used in countries and regions where access to good sanitary products is limited. Use of unhygienic products can lead to dermatitis and bacterial infections, that can potentially lead to increased school absence and less workforce participation for young women and students. Therefore, lack of hygienic and effective sanitary products can have profound impacts on public health and gender equality (e.g., women’s education, work, and daily life).
Project Overview
Against this backdrop, the program will invite two trainees from Ethiopia to Japan, to participate in a two-week vocational training program on sewing sanitary shorts. The training will be conducted by ITOCHU Corporation and Be-A Japan, where they will not only provide practical sewing techniques, but also comprehensive training that tackles economic and social issues related to sanitary products such as the selection of appropriate materials, material management, and methods for calculating production costs.
The two trainees will then return to Ethiopia and provide on-the-job training to over 100 local trainees and women, who will learn how to produce sanitary shorts. These efforts will present local communities in Ethiopia the opportunity to learn about essential sanitary products and menstrual knowledge, while also providing women with opportunities to use the knowledge gained through the vocational training to gain economic independence by working in sewing factories or start their own business. Ultimately, this training program will contribute to the dissemination of sanitary products, improvement of public health, and gender equality in Ethiopia.
Project Details
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Country |
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia |
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Project Partners |
ITOCHU Corporation |
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Key Results |
To be added once the program is completed |
Company Overview ①
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Company Name |
ITOCHU Corporation |
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Website |
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Address |
Tokyo HQ: 〒107-8077 5-1, Kita-Aoyama 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
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Capital |
JPY 253.4 billion |
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Contact |
Fabric Company Fashion Apparel Dept. / Mr. Shohei YAMASHITA |
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Business Description |
Domestic and overseas business investment, import, export, and tri-nation trade of various products and fields (textiles, machinery, metals, energy, chemicals, food, housing, information, and finance) |
Company Overview ②
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Company Name |
Be-A Japan |
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Website |
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Address |
〒150-0001 1-7, Jingu-mae 5-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo |
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Capital |
JPY 8 million |
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Business Description |
Planning, development, manufacture, sale and import/export of underwear, clothing, sanitary products, daily sundries, interior goods, clothing accessories, bedding, health foods, cosmetics, detergents, beauty and health equipment |
Related Links
- Article – Report of Ethiopia Phase 1 Training