The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched the Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus (SWEDD+) project, a $365 million initiative aimed at promoting gender equality, healthcare, and economic empowerment in West Africa.
The project, unveiled on Monday in Abuja, targets five countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, The Gambia, Senegal, and Togo.
ECOWAS Vice-President Damtien Tchintchibidja described the initiative as a significant step toward addressing gender disparities and unlocking the potential of women and girls for regional development.
“This project represents a milestone in our collective efforts to unlock the full potential of women and girls in our region,” Tchintchibidja said.
Funded by the World Bank, SWEDD+ builds on the successes of the earlier Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) project, which impacted over two million women and girls in the last decade.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, underscored the role of the health sector in achieving the project’s goals. Represented by Kamil Shoretire, Director of Health Planning, Pate said efforts are underway to train over 120,000 frontline health workers, with a focus on reproductive health and family planning programs.
“Africa’s population holds immense potential. Through initiatives like SWEDD+, we are addressing our demographic dividend by investing in our youth and ensuring that young women and girls have the resources they need to thrive,” Pate said.
The SWEDD+ project focuses on improving access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities for women and girls to foster regional development.
