WASHINGTON, June 23, 2021 - The World Bank today approved a new $50 million (CFAF 26.824 billion) grant from the International Development Association (IDA)* to strengthen human capital and the empowerment of women and girls in the Central African Republic.
The Central African Republic had the world’s lowest human capital index in 2020. “A child born today in the Central African Republic can expect to be 29% less productive when she grows up as she could have been had she enjoyed complete education and enjoyed full health. Empowering women and girls is a first step toward strengthening human capital for all the people of the Central African Republic,” said Han Fraeters, World Bank Country Manager.
The aim of the human capital project is to improve access to health services and education, as well as to promote job opportunities that empower women and adolescent girls in targeted zones in the Central African Republic. Indeed, studies show that the children with the best results in terms of health, nutrition and education are those born to mothers who, themselves, enjoy the best health and are better educated and more autonomous. Furthermore, by capitalizing on the strength of women as a largely untapped resource, the empowerment of women and girls under this project will have the added benefit of contributing to the country’s economic recovery.
The project will also help the Central African Republic develop safe spaces and establish clubs that promote integrated community-based programs, while also improving access to better health care, education and job opportunities for women and girls. The project will also strengthen national capacity and communication campaigns designed to promote the empowerment of women and girls.
The IDA financing will target the following areas, including: the payment of school fees for more than 89,000 girls and 13,000 boys enrolled in primary school; the award of grants to approximately 429 primary and secondary schools to invest in programs that help retain girls in school; the provision of training to more than 26,000 out-of-school youth, 80% of whom are girls, in income-generating activities as well as cash grants to start up a business.
Against a backdrop of security issues and political tensions, the World Bank is focusing on the most vulnerable population groups. Although women and girls are among those who suffer most, they nevertheless have the greatest potential to become the country’s engine of growth.
*The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 75 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to 1.5 billion people. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments have averaged around $18 billion over the past three years, with about 54% going to Africa.
