Aleph Hospitality and Evolvin’ Women have entered into a partnership to provide unemployed women enrolled in the Evolvin’ Women programme with access to job placement opportunities within Aleph Hospitality’s hotel portfolio across Africa and the Middle East.
What is Evolvin’ Women?
Evolvin’ Women is an impact organisation focused on advancing the technical and professional skills of women from underserved communities in Africa, enabling them to build careers and livelihoods to support themselves and their families. With the invaluable support of our private sector partners in the UAE, we have transformed the lives of hundreds of women.
Through collaboration with diverse stakeholders in developing countries, we offer skill development to those who are unemployed due to limited access to professional training and job prospects. The Evolvin’ Women program acts as an incubator, partnering closely with the private sector in the UAE to assist participants in progressing within industries like hospitality, logistics, luxury retail, and even in establishing their own enterprises in their respective home countries.
Our aim is to not only equip women with the necessary knowledge and tools for success but also to connect them with employers seeking a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
While our goal is to develop female talent, a social enterprise at heart, Evolvin’ Women invests 100% of its profit to fund scholarships for women victims of forced marriage.
What is the objective of Evolvin’ Women?
The objective of Evolvin’ Women is to empower women from underserved communities by advancing their technical and professional skills, enabling them to build sustainable careers and livelihoods for themselves and their families. By fostering an ecosystem of support, education, and empowerment, Evolvin’ Women aims to improve the employability of women from developing countries, promote gender equality, and contribute to economic growth, aligning with key Sustainable Development Goals. The organization also focuses on embedding social responsibility in business practices and creating a cycle of empowerment through innovative funding models that support scholarships and community development projects.
What does a socially responsible partnership with Evolvin’ Women entail and why is it different from traditional CSR?
Collaborating with Evolvin’ Women offers a nuanced approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), one that goes beyond conventional metrics to weave meaningful change both in the broader community and within the internal dynamics of your organisation. This partnership is an opportunity to enrich our partner’s team’s diversity and inclusivity authentically, bringing in women whose unique life experiences and resilience translate into invaluable insights and innovation for the business. It’s a strategic move that not only aligns with ethical practices but also enhances an organisation’s performance by integrating a wealth of untapped potential.
Moreover, this alliance aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, marking a commitment to broader, global initiatives like gender equality (SDG 5), quality education (SDG 4), and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). By partnering with Evolvin’ Women, organisations contribute to setting a new standard in social responsibility, one that emphasises sustainable development and equality. It’s about creating an impact that resonates, fostering an environment where inclusivity and empowerment are at the heart of your business strategy, and leading by example in the industry.
Collaborating with Evolvin’ Women also provides numerous opportunities for partners to engage by offering mentorship and training to women enrolled, travel to Africa with the organization to support the outreach events where hundreds of women come together to learn more about the programme, as well as become partners of the annual Evolvin’ Women Forum. This event serves as a platform for our community of women and stakeholders to come together, share insights, and discuss strategies for advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality in the workforce. It offers a valuable opportunity for collaboration, networking, and learning from one another to drive positive change and create meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
How will Evolvin’ Women and Aleph Hospitality be working together to deliver training and employment to African women?
Our 12-month program is designed to offer a comprehensive learning experience through a combination of online and face-to-face training sessions. Aleph Hospitality will support this learning by providing on-the-job training and allocating dedicated time for women to attend the Evolvin’ Women training. This holistic approach not only benefits the individual team members but also contributes to the overall success and sustainability of the company’s operations.
What long-term impacts are you hoping the partnership with Aleph Hospitality will have?
Through our partnership with Aleph Hospitality, we’re targeting transformative long-term impacts that redefine the landscape of the hospitality industry. The journey begins with comprehensive training and mentorship programs in Dubai, laying a solid foundation for the women we support. This initial phase is critical, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to excel.
Aleph Hospitality’s extensive network across Africa opens up a realm of possibilities, making this more than just a starting point. The ultimate goal is for these women to secure job placements within Aleph Hospitality’s operations in their home countries, thereby ensuring that the empowerment cycle continues and expands. This not only provides them with meaningful career opportunities but also brings their newfound skills and perspectives back to their communities, fostering local development and economic growth.
We see this collaboration as a driving force for systemic change, setting a new standard for corporate social responsibility in the hospitality sector. By creating pathways for women from underserved backgrounds into leadership and specialized roles across Africa, we’re not just diversifying the workforce; we’re building a model that promotes gender equality, sustainable
development, and economic resilience. This partnership aims to spark a ripple effect, inspiring businesses everywhere to integrate similar practices of empowerment and inclusion in their operations.
Since the foundation in 2017, what milestones have you achieved?
Since our inception in 2017, Evolvin’ Women has proudly achieved some remarkable milestones that underscore our commitment to women’s empowerment. We have successfully enrolled over 1,000 women in our program, providing them with access to more than 100,000 hours of invaluable training, mentorship, and the essential skills needed for professional success. Our collaborations with educational institutions and leading organisations in sectors like hospitality, logistics, luxury retail, and finance have offered these women hands-on experience, fostering their growth and development.
The transformation we witness as these women transition from facing barriers to securing stable jobs is profoundly inspiring. To date, our efforts have culminated in the provision of secured employment opportunities, contributing to over 6.5 million USD in overall salaries. This not only supports their dreams and aspirations but also contributes to the broader goal of economic empowerment and independence.
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