In many communities, traditional gender roles still dictate which professions are considered suitable for girls and boys. But 22-year-old Yasin, a female welder and electrician, and 20-year-old Valens, a male women’s hairdresser, are boldly proving that young people can challenge these stereotypes through vocational training, inspiring others to break free from societal expectations.
Yasin: A young woman welder breaking community norms
Raised in a modest household as the sixth of 7 children, Yasin’s early life was marked by financial hardship. Her dreams of completing her education were put on hold when she had to leave school to help with domestic chores.
Discovering a vocational training opportunity reignited her hope for a better future. Against all odds, she chose welding, a trade traditionally dominated by men in her community.
“I had never seen a girl or woman doing welding where I live,” Yasin recalls. “But I approached some welders to learn more about it. I became passionate as it’s a skill that can transform my life and provide a steady income. I didn’t care that I’m a girl.”
Today, Yasin is thriving. She works with a local welding business, gaining hands-on experience in cutting and fabricating metal. Her growing expertise and confidence are evident in the products she creates.
“I am now skilled in creating products such as doors, tables, and other essential items. What inspires me most is seeing the final product and knowing that I made it myself. I’m grateful for this opportunity to shape my future and contribute to the development of my community,” she says.
Yasin’s ambitions don’t stop there. She dreams of launching her own welding business, designing and selling her own creations to achieve financial independence and inspire other girls and young women in her community.
In addition to welding, she also enrolled in electrical training to broaden her expertise across different career paths, something she believes will help nurture her into a self-reliant woman in the future.
Valens: The only male women’s hairdresser in his community
Valens, 20, the youngest of 4 siblings, had a difficult time in formal education and eventually dropped out in his third year. But rather than giving up, he chose to follow a childhood passion of hairdressing.
His mother, Angelique, remembers his child’s early interest. As she shares, her son, Valens, always loved styling hair. When school didn’t work out, she encouraged him to pursue what he truly enjoys.
“I once worked as a barber, but then thought, why not learn to style women’s hair as well? At first, my male friends mocked me, saying it is girls’ work and that I should stick to barbering. But I was determined to learn new skills. I wanted to master women’s hairdressing,” Valens explains.
Through 6 months of training, Valens became a confident and skilled stylist.
“Today, I can offer a range of services, including hairdressing, nail painting and styling. I love what I do. My goal is to train other young people in my community who haven’t had the chance to learn practical skills,” he says with pride.
About the SOYEE hub
Yasin and Valens are among the 35 young people benefiting from the Skills & Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (SOYEE) Hub, a programme run by Dream Village Organization, and funded by Plan International Rwanda through sponsorship funds.
“The hub is vital for young people. It equips them with the skills, tools and networks to forge their own paths to economic independence. In today’s world, having skills and a strong network is not just beneficial, it’s essential for a secure and thriving future,” notes None Epimaque, SOYEE Hub Manager.
The SOYEE hub offers training in welding, hairdressing, electricity and tailoring, with 23 female and male participants. Its goal is to empower vulnerable youth by equipping them with skills for self-employment, connecting them to valuable networks and information, and providing practical toolkits along with support for establishing cooperatives.
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