When it comes to helping young women in Africa with both economic and social opportunity, what does the evidence tell us? Broadcaster Georges Collinet sat down with researchers and policymakers to discuss the hard evidence behind two programs that have succeeded in giving girls a better chance at getting started in their adult lives.
In Liberia, four NGOs led by the government implemented the Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women program, which provided business skills, job skills, and life skills training. A rigorous impact evaluation demonstrated that girls who participated in the program were 47 percent more likely to be employed, had 80 percent higher earnings, and were more likely to have a range of positive feelings about themselves and their future.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE EVIDENCE ON LIBERIA’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN PROGRAM
In Uganda, BRAC International implemented the Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents program, which formed girls’ clubs and provided vocational skills training and life skills training. There, another rigorous impact evaluation showed that girls who participated were 72 percent more likely to be involved in income generating activities, had 41 percent higher monthly consumption expenditures, and experienced a 26 percent lower rate of teen pregnancy.
This is the second entry in a new blog series highlighting #AfricaBigIdeas. It will feature the results of the most innovative Africa-related research being done across the World Bank. What’s your BIG idea for Africa? Tell us using the following hashtag #AfricaBigIdeas