SILVER SPRING, Md.--In Colombia, women who are heads of households are more likely to be vulnerable due to the increased level of discrimination they face in the workplace and their lack of access to education, skills training, and employment opportunities, says the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

In order to help female heads of households become financially independent, ADRA has been providing training for low-income women living in the capital city of Bogota, many of whom have been displaced by the nation's ongoing civil conflict. Classes are offered in cosmetology and tailoring, with an emphasis on personal development, providing instruction on self-esteem, social skills, conflict resolution, forgiveness, and the creation of long-term life plans.

"Women are learning a new trade that improves their possibilities as future employees or entrepreneurs," said Alba Jimenez, director for Donor Development at ADRA Colombia. "Many of the women, even before finishing the training course, have already found employment and begun increasing their incomes."

Another aspect that students learn through the project is the value of service to the community, as many of the women have volunteered their own time by offering free classes and services to their neighbors living in disadvantaged areas.

"We can see how this project has really changed the mindset and lives of the women that take the classes," said Jimenez. "It not only benefits the women, but also helps them meet the needs of their families and improve their quality of life."

Around the world, the number of female-headed households continues to grow, with an estimated 17 percent of households in Latin America and the Caribbean led by women, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In Colombia alone, women lead more than a third of the households, reported the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT). In addition, female-headed households are more likely to lack access to basic services, such as clean water, sanitation, and adequate shelter, said UN-HABITAT in its 2008/2009 State of the World's Cities Report.

ADRA has been active in Colombia since 1989, and currently works in the areas of Food Security, Economic Development, Health Care, Education, and Emergency Management.

ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.

For more information, visit www.adra.org.