Basra workshop empowers rural women with sewing skills

BASRA — The Agriculture Department in Al-Madina district, north of Basra, organized a workshop on Monday to teach rural women sewing skills, aiming to help them start small businesses and enter the job market.

Led by the department’s Rural Women and Environment Units, the workshop, titled “The Art of Sewing,” was attended by women from the Nahr Saleh area. It was facilitated by three female officials from the unit.

Alaa Hussein, head of the Al-Madina Agriculture Department, told 964media, “The session opened with a speech encouraging rural women to start small businesses to provide for their daily sustenance.”

The training covered sewing techniques, and participants were encouraged to pursue future projects. Practical training sessions were coordinated with a local sewing workshop to provide hands-on experience.

The department’s Rural Women Unit continues to enhance the skills of women, encouraging workforce participation.

Women in Iraq face significant challenges in securing employment. In March, the International Labour Organization reported that Iraqi women have the lowest labor force participation rate globally, with just 10.6% of Iraq’s 13 million working-age women employed or seeking work.

Sewing has become a crucial livelihood, especially for women in conflict-affected areas, with various initiatives across Iraq offering sewing skills training to help women establish businesses and support their families. In cities like Mosul, Anah, and Kirkuk, programs by organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme have trained hundreds of women in sewing, providing both practical skills and mental health support.