Prada champions fashion training programme for young women in Africa

Prada is showing its commitment to women's emancipation. The Italian luxury label, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, has developed a pilot educational project called ‘Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears’. According to Prada, this is the first training programme in fashion design and production to be organised in Ghana and Kenya.

“The project aims to leverage the social and economic power of fashion as a vehicle to promote women’s empowerment and sexual and reproductive health,” said Prada in a press release. The six-month programme began in May, and involves 35 young women from Ghana and 15 from Kenya, all of them “passionate about fashion.”

The goal is to equip these young women with practical knowledge and skills, facilitating their access to internships at local fashion businesses. Also, the programme is designed “to foster a deeper understanding of sexual and reproductive rights, and reduce the participants’ vulnerability to gendered inequalities and harmful practices,” said Prada.

UNFPA and Prada joined forces in 2021, and have developed this programme in collaboration with local partners. In Ghana, with the International Needs organisation, and in Kenya, with the county authorities of Kitui and the Kitui County Textile Centre.

Prada is not the only label involved in educational programmes advocating inclusivity. Dolce & Gabbana has recently announced the creation of the Dolce & Gabbana Point Scholarship in partnership with the Point Foundation, a US organisation that offers financial support to LGBTQ+ students. The scholarship will fund a four-year course in fashion studies at an accredited US college or university, starting in autumn 2023. The name of the scholarship's recipient will be revealed in June.

Prada champions fashion training programme for young women in Africa

See also