Some models cat walking in the designed clothes by trainees of the Fashion Expressions Programme.

After gruelling months of training, coupled with a period of industrial attachment with leading Ghanaian fashion brands, UNFPA, PRADA and International Needs Ghana brought a close to the maiden ‘Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears’ initiative, with a pageant for the beneficiaries.

Designed to promote women’s empowerment and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), the programme leveraged the social and economic power of fashion to foster a deeper understanding of SRHR to reduce the vulnerability of participants to gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Throughout the programme, the young women learned valuable skills in fashion and design, including pattern-making, sewing, and marketing. In addition to this, they received training in financial literacy and entrepreneurship, to enable them start out on their own with the knowledge and skills gained.

Speaking at the graduation, the UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan praised the project, saying: ‘This partnership between UNFPA and PRADA is an excellent example of how the private sector can work with the UN to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We hope that this project will encourage more companies to invest in the empowerment of women and girls.’

UNFPA Ghana Representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan making remarks at the closure event.

The trainees produced a unique line of designs that showcased their creativity and ingenuity. They took turns with various models to display their collections through catwalks on the stage to the admiration of the audience. 

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani, noted the power of fashion and design as a tool for social change. He said, ‘this initiative can uniquely empower young women economically while contributing to positive discourse around climate action.’

The PRADA team, in a congratulatory message expressed their satisfaction for the success of the program. They admonished the trainees to keep the goal of the project which is bringing the community together with the power of fashion. The trainees expressed their gratitude to UNFPA and its partners for empowering them with this opportunity. “We are on our way of becoming what we want to become”, they said. 

The closure was attended by government officials, UN officials, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, the private sector, civil society actors as well as friends and family members of the beneficiaries of the pilot programme.

A section of guests at the event.