GBF Caption
Donate Now

Vocational Skill Development Project

Case Study – Empowering Women Miss Shabana

An impact initiative engineered to equip women in Yasin Valley, District Ghizer, with practical stitching skills and a reliable source of income, strengthening household livelihoods and building a self-reliant future for the community.

Location

Yasin, Ghizer

Duration

Mar 2023 - Aug 2022

Funded By

Gateway Brotherhood Foundation

Partners

Yasin Vocational Center

The Challenge

Miss Shabana wanted to become self-reliant and build a secure livelihood of her own. In Yasin, women often have limited access to professional skills training and to income opportunities they can pursue close to home. Without a marketable skill, many remain financially dependent on others, and families carry the full burden of household expenses on limited earnings. Shabana was determined to change this for herself and, in time, for others.

Shabana joined the Yasin Vocational Center, supported by Gateway Brotherhood Foundation's flagship community empowerment program. There she enrolled in a six-month professional tailoring course designed to prepare women to work as tailors.

Our Approach

At Gateway Brotherhood Foundation, we believe in sustainable, community-driven development. Our structured timeline ensures deep local engagement, robust infrastructure delivery, and an ultimate transition to 100% community ownership.

Nobel skill building

Mar - Apr 2023: Theoretical Intervention

The course covered the full process of garment making: taking body measurements, pattern making and cutting, machine stitching, finishing and pressing, and basic garment repair and alterations.

May - Jun 2023: Learn cutting and Designing

Trainees practiced on real projects such as women's and children's clothing, so they could build the skills customers actually ask for.GBF equipped the center with sewing machines, fabric, threads, cutting tools, and other materials, which trainees used free of charge during the course.

Jul - Aug 2023: Product Development and Selling

Training was offered at no cost to participants, and trainees received a small monthly stipend to help with transport and daily expenses. Shabana committed fully to the training and mastered the technical side of the trade. Her progress and dedication led to her role as the most competent participant, where she now teaches fellow women and girls.

Our Impact

From Trainee to Business Owner

Shabana joined the foundation’s skills development project as a trainee at the sewing center. She wanted to support her family but had no formal skills or business experience. Through the training, she learned cutting, measurement, and finishing techniques.

As she built her skills, her earnings grew significantly, reaching almost PKR 30,000 per month. This income changed life for her family, allowing them to enjoy a better standard of living. Her financial contribution became a vital part of her family’s stability.

Today, Shabana runs her own neighborhood stitching boutique, taking orders for daily-wear, formal, and bridal outfits. Her story shows how practical training can turn into lasting self-employment and economic empowerment for women in the community.

Learning tailoring gave me independence and confidence. Now,I teach other women the same skills, and seeing them grow gives me great pride. My income also helps my family live better.

MRs. Shabana, Lead Trainer, Yasin Vocational Center

WHAT WE LEARNED

Lessons in Resilience

Local Ownership

Sustainable change starts with nurturing local leadership and capacity.

Ethical Commitment

Our impact is measured by the integrity and inclusivity of our processes.

Continuous Growth

We adapt our strategies based on real-world feedback to ensure lasting impact.

Explore More Impact Stories

Join us in building ethical and resilient societies

Support Our Mission

Gateway Brotherhood Foundation (GBF)

Gateway Brotherhood Foundation (Pakistan) implements community programs while Global Brotherhood Foundation (USA) funds, supports and partners for lasting change.

Facebook-f Twitter Tumblr Vimeo-v

Company

Support

Our Offices

Gateway Brotherhood Foundation © 2025. All Rights Reserved.