PUBLIC LIBRARIES EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS
Violets Behlimova, a trainee of Public Library ‘Braka Miladinovci’ in Macedonia, who found work in an automobile parts manufacturing factory.
Violets Behlimova, a trainee of Public Library ‘Braka Miladinovci’ in Macedonia, who found work in an automobile parts manufacturing factory. Photo by Gjorgji Ristoski.

The work of the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme demonstrates how public libraries can contribute to women’s empowerment and equality.

In partnership with the municipal labour office,  Public Library ‘Braka Miladinovci’ in Macedonia motivates unemployed women to seek work through a service that includes job application and ICT training, and employment information. In Nepal, READ Information and Resource Centre’s capacity-building initiative empowers women and girls living in slums around Kathmandu through seminars and workshops on women’s rights, gender equality, health, violence against women and other issues, in addition to providing practical ICT and entrepreneurship training. Rija’tzuul Na’ooj Library in Guatemala has created a business centre where talented women weavers learn entrepreneurship skills and how to use ICT to market and sell their products online.