Al-Mawaddah Association launches a project for an agricultural products market to transform 120 beneficiary families from dependency to productivity
Al-Mawaddah Family Development Association hosted a virtual ceremony to launch the Agricultural Products Market project aimed at empowering women in selling vegetables and fruits, enabling 120 beneficiary families to transition from dependency to productivity.
Mr. Faisal Al-Samnoudi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Mawaddah Association, explained that this project aligns with the goals of the National Transformation Program to shift social security beneficiary families from dependency to productivity. It focuses on building the capacities of these families, training them in marketing and selling agricultural products, and transforming the project into a social investment that provides employment opportunities. This initiative is undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Jeddah Municipality, Social Development Bank, and Al-Mawaddah Family Development Association.
The partnership aims to empower 120 beneficiary families (widows and divorcees) to sell vegetables and fruits in new sales outlets located in six parks across Jeddah. Through Al-Mawaddah's Women Empowerment Academy, participants will undergo vocational and professional training programs for a month, covering various aspects such as project establishment, supplier and farmer relations, project financial management, health regulations, quality standards, and marketing strategies. Licenses will be obtained for the families, and they will be monitored for five years until they are fully capable of managing their own projects. This initiative supports local farmers by increasing their revenue through better profit margins and facilitating access to their produce for local residents.
The virtual ceremony began with a speech by Ms. Maram Al-Abeeh, Director of the Women Empowerment Academy at Al-Mawaddah Family Development Association, welcoming the attendees and emphasizing the association's commitment to executing the project to the highest standards in collaboration with supporting partners, especially the Social Development Bank and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Makkah Region and Jeddah Municipality.
Ms. Shereen Al-Abdulrahman, Director of Program Development at the Social Financing Sector of the Social Development Bank, highlighted the importance of the partnership between Al-Mawaddah Family Development Association and the Social Development Bank, aiming to empower women in the field of vegetables and fruits sales and eventually transition social security beneficiary families from dependency to productivity.
Mr. Ahmed Al-Sahafi, Director of Community Development Department in Makkah Region at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, emphasized the ministry's support for such partnerships, aiming to empower social security beneficiary families through this project, enabling them to achieve economic independence and stability.
Mr. Omar Maqsood, Assistant General Manager for Social Investment at Al-Mawaddah Family Development Association, discussed the implementation of the "Farmers' Market for Agricultural Products through Social Security Families" project. He explained that the project will be executed through the Women Empowerment Academy, established in 2018, offering training programs and empowerment initiatives to prepare women for their own projects. Additionally, the academy seeks to provide financing loans through its partnership with the Social Development Bank and housing support through collaboration with the Ministry of Housing. The project aims to empower women economically, with 120 families gaining sustainable income, reducing their reliance on social security benefits, and involving at least 600 family members in the project's operation.
Al-Samnoudi concluded by affirming that this project is part of Al-Mawaddah Association's plans to build strategic partnerships and integrated relationships with various institutions and sectors to contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program. It aims to increase women's participation in economic and social development, empower various segments of society to enter the labor market, enhance its attractiveness, raise the female economic participation rate from 17% to 25%, and raise awareness about the importance of women's participation in the labor market.
It is worth mentioning that Al-Mawaddah Association, represented by the Women Empowerment Academy, launched the training program for the Agricultural Products Market project's first batch at the Social Security Office, with the participation of 30 trainees.