Transgenders to get skill and digital marketing training

PESHAWAR: Krafters, a tech-based platform engaged in business establishment and business development services for home-based workers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), has decided to extend its outreach to the highly marginalized transgender community by offering them training in skill development and digital marketing.

The decision was made after a meeting between Syed Zahid Ali Shah, CEO of Krafters, and Katrina, a transgender rights activist and head of the vocational institute REST (Rehabilitation, Education, Skill Development, Training Awareness).

Krafters has committed to providing equal opportunities for the transgender community to learn various skills, including embroidery, stitching, beautician training, and cooking.

These individuals will also be trained in e-commerce to enable them to continue and expand their businesses as home-based workers.

During the meeting, both parties agreed to formalize their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This agreement will pave the way for launching skill-training programs specifically designed for the transgender community in KP.

The REST chief was requested to share data of community members to facilitate their inclusion in Krafters’ app, developed under the Pakistan Innovation Fund (PIF), which supports digital financial inclusion for home-based workers and SMEs.

Krafters has already developed a network of over 9,000 artisans, focusing on enhancing the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises.

By including transgender artisans in this network, the community will benefit from business establishment and development support, financial inclusion, and connections with key players in the business value chain.

CEO Zahid Ali Shah emphasized the importance of linking skilled transgender individuals with relevant stakeholders for product production and marketing.

He said that Krafters’ initiative aims to integrate the transgender community into productive activities, offering them an opportunity to earn a dignified livelihood.

“This programme seeks to empower a highly marginalized and vulnerable segment of society by providing training in modern e-commerce and digital marketing,” Zahid noted. He added that the initiative underscored Krafters’ commitment to fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities.