KEY POINTS
- ECOWAS unveils $365 million project to empower women and girls.
- Over 120,000 health workers to be trained across five countries.
- SWEDD+ aims to enhance education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched the Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus (SWEDD+) project, a groundbreaking $365 million initiative aimed at promoting gender equality and economic empowerment for women and girls.
The initiative, funded by the World Bank, will focus on supporting women and girls in five African countries — Burkina Faso, Chad, The Gambia, Senegal, and Togo.
The program is designed to improve healthcare, expand economic opportunities, and promote gender equity across these nations.
At the launch event held in Abuja, ECOWAS Vice-President Damtien Tchintchibidja described the project as a pivotal step toward regional development.
In addition, she emphasized that women and girls are vital contributors to sustainable growth and that their empowerment is key to achieving social and economic progress.
“The SWEDD+ project is funded by the World Bank Group to the tune of $365 million, covering five countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, The Gambia, Senegal, and Togo. This initiative reflects the World Bank’s unwavering commitment to Africa’s development agenda,” Tchintchibidja said.
She called on governments, partners, and community stakeholders to join hands in ensuring the project’s success, adding, “Women and girls are the backbone of our societies, and for that reason, their empowerment is crucial to achieving sustainable development, economic growth, and social progress.”
Healthcare training and youth empowerment take center stage
One of the key highlights of the SWEDD+ project is its focus on healthcare transformation. Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, revealed plans to train over 120,000 frontline health workers as part of efforts to boost population health outcomes.
Speaking at the launch, Pate, represented by Kamil Shoretire, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to workforce development and reproductive health initiatives.
“Over 120,000 frontline workers are being trained with a strong emphasis on reproductive health interventions, family planning programs, and recognizing the importance of family planning,” Shoretire said.
However, Pate underscored the importance of family planning and youth empowerment as critical components of the SWEDD+ project.
Additionally, he noted that the initiative aligns with the broader goal of empowering women and girls, enhancing healthcare, and fostering socio-economic development.
According to Punch, he also highlighted how the program aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by creating opportunities for youth empowerment and encouraging economic participation.
“The SWEDD+ Project is a timely and much-needed intervention in Nigeria. It directly addresses our demographic dividend by investing in youth and providing opportunities for economic and social development,” Pate noted.
A legacy of impact and future transformation
The SWEDD+ initiative builds on the success of the Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) project, which has positively impacted over two million women and girls in the past decade.
By scaling up this initiative, ECOWAS and its partners aim to extend the reach and impact of the program.
The new phase of the project seeks to expand beyond the Sahel region, providing critical support to communities in West and Central Africa.
However, it aims to ensure that women and girls are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in education, healthcare, and economic development.
ECOWAS hopes that through the SWEDD+ project, the ripple effects of gender equality will be felt in education, healthcare, and economic development. Also, with a clear focus on supporting youth and empowering women, the project aims to build a brighter future for generations to come.
Moreover, Vice-President Tchintchibidja emphasized that lasting change requires the involvement of all stakeholders, from government agencies to international partners.
“This is not just a project, but a movement toward a future where women and girls are at the heart of development,” she stated.
Furthermore, with such ambitious goals, the SWEDD+ project is expected to leave a lasting impact on Africa’s socio-economic landscape, ensuring a brighter future for women and girls.
