Women Entrepreneurs Shaping Innovation in Iraq
Iraq Response Innovation Lab has been working closely with two women-led social enterprises that tackle issues relating to employment and access to the market.
Yalla Limited - One challenge in Iraq is finding service providers such as plumbers and electricians. Many times people need to ask around and wait for contacts, which isn’t helpful during an emergency. If you are starting a business as a service provider, there is the challenge of creating a customer pool with no formal marketing other than word-of-mouth. Two local Iraqi women, Ms. Ravan and Ms. Hala, launched the Yalla application which helps locate services through the app with a rating and pricing system. The app works to create a link between skilled workers and the needs of a household or other job.
The Workshop - Supports youth and job seekers in their quest for employment, by offering a set of high-demand courses and integrated tools that support applicants in evaluating their skills, then offering training for areas where skills can improve. The platform is accessible on the web and mobile for ease. The entrepreneur behind the app, Ms. Sazan, sees the application a way for job seekers to find job vacancies, apply, and see how their skills meet the needs.
Both projects are expected to launch at the end of March 2021.
