By Alhagie Babou Jallow
The Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Thursday, August 22nd 2024, validated the Women Enterprise Fund operational manual. The initiative is supported by the World Bank through the Sub-Saharan Women Empowerment Demographic Dividend Project (SWEDD+). The Women Enterprise Fund is a flagship project of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare established by an Act of Parliament in 2020. The aim is to create, promote and grow women’s enterprises and create self-employment for women. Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary Naomi Williams said the Fund supports women’s groups who are in a vulnerable position and require support; that the beneficiaries are given loans at a minimal interest rate. She revealed that as of May 2024, the WEF gave out about 65 million Dalasi as a revolving loan and reached out to 620 women groups, approximately 63 thousand women across the country. DPS Williams informed that the WEF finances women’s agricultural and non-agricultural activities. She said it has a very positive impact on women beneficiaries as they are empowered economically to meet their financial obligations. About the validated operational manual, the DPS had this to say: “It marks the beginning of a new era for the Women Enterprise Fund. It is a timely opportunity for us to prepare and move the Women Enterprise Fund ahead in a coordinated and coherent manner”. The WEF Fund Manager, Alpha Huma, said the manual is designed to respond to the challenges faced by WEF and to improve its operational procedures. He said it focuses on those measures that can best be delivered through collective action, and complement the national efforts and strategies that are in place to support women.
