By Sarjo M. Camara
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare’s Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) recently hosted a World Bank delegation on a monitoring visit to the SWEDD+ Girls’ Training Programme at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Library complex.
Leading the World Bank delegation, Ms. Fatoumata Barry, SWEDD+ Regional Task Team Leader (TTL), expressed satisfaction with the progress and impact of the programme, describing the sub-component as a success story. She commended the WEF team for their effective implementation and praised the trainees for their strong grasp of the modules delivered by the trainers.
“I am impressed with the level of competence demonstrated by the trainees,” Ms. Barry said, stressing that capacity building remains a critical pillar at every stage of life and a key driver of both personal and national development.
Speaking during the visit, the Manager of the Women Enterprise Fund, Mr. Alpha Hummah, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to Sub-Component 1.4 of the SWEDD+ Project, which focuses on expanding economic opportunities and financial inclusion for adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24. He highlighted the importance of the small grants initiative in equipping beneficiaries with sustainable skills to achieve economic independence, describing it as central to the programme’s objectives.
Mr. Hummah disclosed that the girls are expected to receive small grants ranging from GMD 50,000 to GMD 300,000 to support the implementation of their business plans and improve their economic prospects.
The visit underscored the strong collaboration between the Government of The Gambia, the World Bank, and other stakeholders in advancing women’s economic empowerment.
The trainees, while showcasing their newly acquired skills, expressed deep appreciation to the World Bank, the Women Enterprise Fund, the consultant, and the Government of The Gambia for their continued support.
The delegation, accompanied by officials from the Health Project Coordination Unit (PCU) and Ministry staff, were taken on a tour of the facility and given a firsthand look at the progress made by the adolescent girls and young women participating in the programme.
