8 AUGUST2022The World Bank Board of Directors approved an additional $52 million in International Development Assistance (IDA) financing to support ongoing initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls in Somalia economically. Rajo Kaaba, the local name for the Somalia Empowering Women through Education and Skills Project, will provide funding for initiatives to improve gender parity and address the causes of exclusion and marginalization. An IDA grant of $25 million, a grant from the Somalia Multi-Partner Fund of $25 million, and a grant from the Early Learning Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund of $2 million are used to fund the project's efforts to provide access to high-quality childcare. "The project will equip girls and women with skills to promote economic empowerment and leadership", said Kristina Svensson, World Bank Country Manager for Somalia. "Along with other investments in girls and women's education, this effort will contribute to achieving greater economic growth, shared prosperity and social stability in Somalia". The project is anticipated to empower women and girls through improved reading and numeracy abilities, income production skills, and leadership skills, in line with the World Bank's larger women's empowerment goal in Sub-Saharan Africa. In target areas throughout Somalia, including Somalil and, it seeks to assist at least 28,500 young women and up to 3,000 underprivileged young men aged 15 to 35 who are predominantly from marginalized and vulnerable groups, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).Non-formal second chances programmes and higher skill development for women's leadership will be the project's two main areas of concentration. The majority of recipients will be able to learn fundamental literacy and numeracy skills through non-formal education. Additionally, the Somalian government will increase possibilities for women by establishing Women's Development Centers (WDCs). In order to assist the systemic expansion of women's higher level skills and leadership development, these will establish a consortium of independent women's schools that will provide certificate and degree programmes. IN FOCUSStaff ByWORLD BANK CONTRIBUTES ADDITIONAL $52 MILLION TO IMPROVE 30,000 GIRLS' & WOMEN'S ACCESS TO EDUCATION & SKILL DEVELOP
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