Government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, is stepping up efforts to economically empower vulnerable adolescent girls and young women through the SWEDD+ Project, providing eligible beneficiaries with small grants, entrepreneurship training and livelihood support.
Registration and verification of prospective beneficiaries identified through The Gambia Social Registry is currently underway nationwide. The exercise is coordinated through the Women Enterprise Fund under the project’s Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women component.
The initiative targets vulnerable out-of-school girls and young women aged 15 to 24, to improve access to economic opportunities and enable sustainable livelihoods.
In Sare Demba Sowe, Upper Fulladu West District, a field team recently conducted verification, engaging community members and validating information from the Social Registry.
The exercise establishes eligibility of identified candidates and ensures accuracy of records before the next stage of selection.
Among those identified is 23-year-old Hawa Baldeh, a school dropout and young married woman engaged in petty trading to support her household.
Identification does not guarantee final selection, but Hawa said the opportunity has raised her hopes of improving her economic circumstances.
She said sustaining her small business remains a challenge, and access to grant and entrepreneurship training would enable her to expand trading, increase income and contribute more to family welfare.
Her husband, Ebrima Kandeh, welcomed the initiative as timely intervention for families struggling to meet daily needs through farming and small-scale trading.
He commended government for extending the programme to rural communities, saying support could make significant difference to their household should his wife be included. He urged other organisations to emulate initiative.
Verification also identified two other prospective beneficiaries, 22-year-old Penda Kandeh and Saffiatou Baldeh, in neighbouring Sare Ngallan.
Beyond Upper Fulladu West, the exercise has covered communities in North Bank Region, Central River Region North and South, Upper River Region and Lower River Region.
The process has encountered challenges, including cases of deceased individuals, prospective beneficiaries without adequate birth documentation and others who have migrated.
Despite the challenges, field teams continue to work with community members and stakeholders to verify records and ensure selection is based on accurate information.
The exercise is expected to continue in other parts of Lower River Region and West Coast Region.
Through SWEDD+, government aims to create pathways for vulnerable young women to acquire practical skills, access financial opportunities and establish sustainable income.
For Hawa and many other prospective beneficiaries, the initiative represents more than financial assistance. It offers hope for economic independence, improved family welfare and more secure future.
