Tenerife’s ISOS Project Targets Gender Gap to Boost Female Employment

Tenerife is working to close the gender gap in its job market through targeted support programs. The Cabildo de Tenerife has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting female employment via the ISOS Project. Managed by the Insular Foundation for Training, Employment, and Business Development (FIFEDE), the initiative has helped over 400 women find work since it began in 2018.

With a budget of 700,000 euros, the program offers more than just training; it provides financial incentives to help women overcome common barriers to employment. Participants receive support for travel and living costs, as well as specific aid for those balancing work with childcare or the care of dependent family members. This approach acknowledges that the struggle to balance personal and professional responsibilities remains a major hurdle for many women.

Efraín Medina, the Minister of Education, Employment, and Youth, and Patricia León, the Island Director of Equality and Diversity, recently visited the program to oversee its progress. They highlighted that the project is helping women enter a wide range of fields. Beyond traditional roles, the initiative is successfully placing women in male-dominated sectors like warehouse management, as well as technical areas including psychology, pedagogy, administration, and finance.

Each year, the ISOS Project helps 100 women secure internships with local companies, acting as a vital bridge between education and the workplace. By partnering with businesses like Makro and organizations such as the Mercedes Machado Feminist Association, the Cabildo aims to do more than just improve hiring statistics—it hopes to drive a cultural shift within island businesses. Ultimately, the program’s success will be measured by its ability to turn these internships into stable, long-term jobs, creating a more equitable labor market for everyone in Tenerife.