As part of its project to improve education opportunities for young people in some of its supplier countries, Hong Kong-based fashion brand Esprit has opened a ‘Yes Center’ school in South-Punjab, Pakistan, with plans to open an additional four facilities.
Launched in the autumn of last year as part of its comprehensive sustainability strategy, the project aims to give qualifications to young people, helping to open up job market opportunities and improve economic independence, especially for young women. The focus is on conveying know-how within the textile industry in areas such as safety and quality management.
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Esprit schools to provide education in supplier countries
The Pakistan facility, which is a school for girls only, follows the opening of the first sites in Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka in Bangladesh last year, and aims to promote the economic independence of girls and young women and, as such, to contribute in tackling poverty in Pakistan.
Located in the Multan district, the new school was officially inaugurated yesterday (8 November) in the presence of local authorities and representatives of NGOs. It was funded by the Esprit Cares Trust and was initiated by the You Foundation as a partner of Esprit.
All in all, 430 students, ranging in age from 15 to 22 years, are to be educated. All measures have the goal of strengthening the young girls’, women’s and female entrepreneurs’ competences in Pakistan. Knowledge and know-how transfer, as well as good technical equipment on site will facilitate women entering regional and international markets. In the coming two years, Esprit says these individuals will acquire knowledge in different areas that will prepare them for the labour markets and convey the needed to be in a position to act independently.
The project also steers Esprit towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which serve to encourage sustainable development on an economic, social, and ecological level. Esprit’s Yes Center meets four of the UN-defined objectives: high quality education, gender equality, reducing inequality, and constructing sustainable cities and communities.
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By GlobalDataMeanwhile, Esprit has also revealed plans to open a third Yes Center in Bangladesh and three new schools in Vietnam before the end of 2018.
