CONTEXT
In Sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls face a set of unique challenges. High fertility rates caused by early marriages, low educational attainment, fewer job opportunities, restrictive social norms and laws coupled with inadequate access to family planning information and services are obstacles blocking girls from realizing their full potential, and by extension, undermining African nations’ efforts to achieve a demographic dividend. With 60 % of the total population of Africa under the age of 25, investing in empowering adolescent girls is critical to accelerate economic growth and reduce intergenerational poverty.
To tackle this challenge, countries in Western and Central Africa are investing in innovative interventions to promote adolescent girls and their families, households, and broader communities. The webinar will discuss the importance of supporting the economic and social empowerment of adolescent girls in Western and Central Africa, bringing the perspectives of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other change agents. During the discussion, participants will highlight country examples, draw lessons from flagship interventions and identify policies, investments and partnerships that are needed to drive economic and social transformation.
