Tasawi: Women’s Digital Literacy and English Program

The Tasawi Program is a five-year program that builds the professional skills of 2,500 Iraqi minority women through classroom training in both business English and digital literacy. In training centers based in seven locations throughout Iraq — Basrah, Baghdad, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Dohuk, Sulaymaniyah, and Erbil — these women take part in English and computer training courses coupled with professional development opportunities to improve their employability, as the private sector becomes an increasingly important part of Iraq’s economic future.

The program targets Iraq’s minority communities who face barriers to educational and professional opportunities. Courses support the Government of Iraq’s efforts to create conditions for more diverse and broad-based economic growth and income generation by combining intensive English-language instruction with training in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Up to 1,000 program alumni will have the opportunity to take further training in higher-level business software, as well as to serve as mentors to new program participants

Program Fact Sheet

What?
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs funded a three‐year project that
builds the professional skills of 2,500 Iraqi women.
Participants took an eight‐week course of intensive English language instruction, followed by a four-week
training course in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Upon completion of the training,
participants will be able to earn an internationally‐recognized Microsoft Digital Literacy Certificate and
have access to support networks and professional development resources.

Why?
The three main goals of this program are:
1. Improve the employment opportunities for 2,500 Iraqi women through training in Microsoft
Office programs and business English.
2. Provide these women with access to support systems—including peer mentors, course alumni,
and connections to the private sector—to facilitate new or improved employment
opportunities.
3. Provide 500 course graduates with Advanced Microsoft Training for further professional
development.

Who?
This program is for women from all over Iraq who are interested in increasing their job opportunities
through learning English and computer skills.

Where?
Training conducted throughout Iraq. IRFAD conducted a survey to determine
potential training center locations for both the English and computer courses.

When?
The first round of training started in Fall 2013 at a select number of training sites. Additional training
sites established to offering the training course in Winter / Spring 2014. The training
course offered through Fall 2016.

How?
FHI 360, a global human development organization located in Washington, DC, administer this
project by partnering with national and local organizations across Iraq to recruit participants and deliver
these training.

Please contact us for more information