In 2015, a transformative initiative known as Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) project was launched in response to a call from the heads of state of Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Its mission: to combat gender inequality and strengthen the resilience of adolescent girls and young women in the Sahel region.
Over the years, SWEDD has become a powerful tool for regional integration, placing the empowerment of women at the forefront of public policy. It encourages countries to allocate resources to address the vulnerabilities of adolescent girls and young women, with the aim of transforming their lives and contributing to the overall progress of society.
SWEDD’s success is based on a collaborative partnership between countries and development aid institutions such as the World Bank, UNFPA, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), the African Union and the French Development Agency (AFD). This partnership has helped to drive change and mobilise resources.