From potential to skills and real jobs: how young women are powering change in Western and Central Africa

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2026/03/24/from-potential-to-skills-and-real-jobs-how-young-women-are-powering-change-in-western-and-central-africa STORY HIGHLIGHTS Young women are acquiring practical skills and transitioning into stable employment, with more than 255,000 individuals participating in SWEDD/SWEDD+ training and economic empowerment programmes. Examples from Benin to Chad demonstrate that newly acquired competencies, such as solar installation and midwifery, enable young women to generate income and contribute to their communities. With nearly 3 million women and girls reached since 2015, SWEDD/SWEDD+ demonstrates that investment in women's education and workforce participation fosters local economic development and strengthens families and communities.