ILO transforms lives of women in Iraq through financial skills and business training

In Iraq's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, women face numerous socioeconomic barriers, with only one in ten actively participating in the labor market—the lowest rate globally.

Through the PROSPECTS program, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) are changing the narrative. This partnership has equipped over 1,200 young female entrepreneurs in northern Iraq with vital financial skills, business management training, and coaching for social cohesion. Alongside the Central Bank of Iraq, the ILO piloted a financial product tailored to meet the unique needs of 300 women entrepreneurs, resolving issues around Sharia compliance, seasonal repayments, and guarantee requirements.

These efforts are creating lasting change. Many women have become community role models, training and employing younger women, sparking a ripple effect of empowerment. Watch to see how these powerful programs are making a difference in the lives of women and entire communities across Iraq.