# Ruweyda Technical Vocational Training Institute (RTVTI) > Ruweyda Technical Vocational Training Institute (RTVTI) was founded in 2016 by a group of Somali women who were worried about how many women in their communities lived in poverty. It trains women in skills that local markets need, so they can earn a living and build better economic lives. Official tagline: To enhance skills development training through tailored training based on local market needs. ## Pages - [Home](https://ruweyda.org/): what RTVTI teaches and who it is for. - [About](https://ruweyda.org/about): organizational profile, vision, mission, the four objectives, photos from the work, and answered questions. - [Sagal Abdirizak](https://ruweyda.org/sagal-abdirizak): her profile, her work for women in Somalia's maritime sector, the training she gave displaced women, and answered questions about her. - [Courses](https://ruweyda.org/courses): the nine skills RTVTI teaches. - [Get involved](https://ruweyda.org/impact): why partners support RTVTI and how to get in touch. - [Facts](https://ruweyda.org/press): the confirmed facts about RTVTI in one list. - [Contact](https://ruweyda.org/contact): ask about a course or about partnering with RTVTI. Vision: We want to be a capable, lasting institute that helps Somali women become economically independent. Mission: We train women in skills that local markets need, so they have better social and economic choices in their lives. ## Objectives 1. Promote and support the social and economic empowerment of Somali women. 2. Organize events that make the case for women's social, economic and political rights. 3. Organize, prepare for and take part in consultative forums on skills training. 4. Build a regional and international network that works for the economic empowerment of Somali women. ## Skills taught - Beauty Salon (Henna and Make-up) (Beauty and fashion) - Tailoring (Beauty and fashion) - Tie and Dye (Beauty and fashion) - Plumbing (Technical trades) - Fish Nets (Technical trades) - Packaging (Making and selling products) - Decorations (Making and selling products) - Charcoal Making (Making and selling products) - Homemade Shampoo and Soap (Making and selling products) ## Questions and answers ### What is RTVTI? Ruweyda Technical Vocational Training Institute (RTVTI) was founded in 2016 by a group of Somali women who were worried about how many women in their communities lived in poverty. It trains women in skills that local markets need, so they can earn a living and build better economic lives. ### When was RTVTI founded? In 2016. ### Who founded it? A group of Somali women from the grassroots. ### What does RTVTI teach? Nine skills: tie and dye, beauty salon (henna and make-up), tailoring, plumbing, fish nets, packaging, decorations, charcoal making, and homemade shampoo and soap. ### Who is the training for? Mostly Somali women, including women affected by the conflict and women from marginalized groups. ## Organizations that work with RTVTI - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency - COOPI, Cooperazione Internazionale - UNICEF ## Photos from the work - Women in Maritime Awards (18 May 2025, Mogadishu): On the International Day for Women in Maritime, Women in Maritime Sector Somalia (WiMS) honoured women working across the sector. Sagal Abdirizak was among them. - Maritime training sessions (With WiMS and the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme): Women in uniform and civilian women trained side by side, in the classroom and outdoors, at sessions held under the WiMS and UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme banners. - Beauty salon training (Livelihood training for women): A livelihood project with UNHCR and COOPI in Mogadishu trained women in beauty salon skills, with start-up kits to follow. Closer to home, trainees receive their packages at a handover at our centre. ## Sagal Abdirizak Sagal Abdirizak is the Gender Focal Point at Somalia's Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport. Since 2013 she has worked to open the maritime sector to women, helped lead Somalia's first Women in Maritime Sector (WiMS) National Action Plan, and has trained displaced women in vocational skills. Role: Gender Focal Point, Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport, Federal Government of Somalia. Award: Women in Maritime Award 2025 (18 May 2025, Mogadishu). Story by the UNODC Border Management Branch; see https://ruweyda.org/sagal-abdirizak. - 2013: Sagal starts advancing gender equality in maritime policy, training and community engagement. - 2019: She helps lead the development of Somalia's Women in Maritime Sector (WiMS) National Action Plan, the first of its kind. - 2023: On 15 March 2023 the plan is launched: a national commitment to women as technical experts, managers and decision-makers. - 2025: On 18 May 2025 she is honoured for her contributions to gender inclusion in the maritime sector. ### Who is Sagal Abdirizak? Sagal Abdirizak is the Gender Focal Point, Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport, Federal Government of Somalia. Since 2013, Sagal Abdirizak has worked to open Somalia's maritime sector to women, in policy, in training and in the communities along the coast. ### What is the Women in Maritime Sector (WiMS) National Action Plan? Somalia's first national plan for women in the maritime sector. Sagal Abdirizak helped lead its development from 2019, and it was launched on 15 March 2023 as a national commitment to women as technical experts, managers and decision-makers. ### What award did Sagal Abdirizak receive? The Women in Maritime Award 2025. On 18 May 2025, the International Day for Women in Maritime, Women in Maritime Sector Somalia (WiMS) honoured her in Mogadishu for her contributions to gender inclusion in the maritime sector. ### What skills did Sagal Abdirizak teach displaced women? Essential oils, Henna, Shampoo, Sewing, Dyeing Somali dresses, Growing herbs to sell. As a certified teacher, she trained women displaced by conflict, drought and climate shocks, and also taught them how to stay safe, resist early or forced marriage and plan for their future. ### Where does Sagal Abdirizak's story come from? From "She Was Told the Ocean Was not Hers. She Made It Home.", a story by the UNODC Border Management Branch. Her quotes on this page are word for word from it. ## Facts - Founded: 2016 - Scope: national (Somalia) - Founded by: a group of Somali women ## Contact - Phone: +252 61 700 2319 - Email: info@ruweyda.org - Form: https://ruweyda.org/contact ## Not yet published - The address has not been published yet. Course durations, fees and enrollment steps are also still to be confirmed by RTVTI.