Project for the empowerment of girls and the demographic dividend in the Sahel (SWEDD)
The goal of the project? To improve the empowerment of women and girls and their access to quality reproductive, child and maternal health services to help accelerate the demographic transition and reduce gender inequalities in the Sahel.
One of the priorities of the SWEDD project is to invest in education and vocational training for girls and women. Since the launch of the project, more than 100,000 girls in precarious situations have benefited from project support in the form of school kits, scholarships, accommodation or educational support. In addition, a total of 98,074 women received vocational training.
In order to promote a change in social norms in favour of the empowerment of women and girls in the Sahel, advocacy activities are being implemented at several levels, mobilising all actors in society: religious leaders, health workers, political leader, legislators and husbands, to end discrimination and violence against women. More than 4 million people have been sensitised on the issues of early marriage, reproductive, maternal and child health and violence against women. Special awareness has been achieved through “husband schools” where men meet to discuss and learn about matters affecting household life and family planning so that they can fully contribute to the promotion of the well-being of mother and child. Over 1,640 husband schools have already been established across SWEDD countries.
I’m happy that I’m not being forced into a marriage I don’t want. I don’t want to get married now, not until I’m 20. I want to continue my studies and become a midwife. It is important to study to be successful in life. Success means chasing your dreams.
Hawa Fall, 15