PayPal works with AkiDwA to help support migrant women living in Ireland

PayPal has announced that it has been working with AkiDwA, an organisation that provides support services to and promotes equality for migrant women living and wishing to find work in Ireland.

Established in 2001, AkiDwA has more than 2,700 members from across 46 countries of origin and one of its main priorities is to help migrant women establish their own careers and achieve financial independence in Ireland.

One of the principal projects that PayPal is collaborating with AkiDwA on is “Door to Work”. This initiative – supported by over 100 volunteers across PayPal’s sites in Dublin and Dundalk – aims to assist women looking for employment by providing professional development and technical skill workshops, as well as career mentoring.

To aid with this professional development training, which is currently being provided remotely due to the pandemic, PayPal has also donated over €15,000 worth of new equipment and technology, including new iPads and laptop bags, to AkiDwA.

Another project on which the two organisations are collaborating is called “In From the Margin”, which has been developed to support women with low literacy skills. This initiative helps those with no English language skills to sell their crafts online. PayPal is also seeking out other digital companies in relation to the roll-out of this project.

Salome Mbugua, Head of Operations and Strategy, AkiDwA, said: “We want to create a society of equal opportunity for migrant women from all perspectives – including social, cultural, economic, civic, and political.

“The exposure to an organisation like PayPal has been great for our members as they don’t normally get this type of opportunity. Usually, they feel isolated, struggle to find work, and find it difficult to support their families both here and back home.

“By working with PayPal, we can help to create more opportunities for these women and give them, and others in their position, hope for the future.”

Maeve Dorman, Senior Vice President, Customer Success Management, Revenue Operations and Enablement, PayPal, commented: “The work that AkiDwA does is incredibly valuable for these women and we are honoured to be able to make a difference in their lives. These professional development skills enable and empower them to make a living and create a life here in Ireland.

“Like AkiDwA, we are extremely passionate about championing women and helping them to establish their careers. Our teammates also get a great sense of pride in giving back to the communities in which they work and live. In fact, these are core values within PayPal and ones we take very seriously through internal initiatives and external activities.”