World Bank approves $70 million grants to empower women entrepreneurs

The World Bank has approved a 70 million US dollars International Development Association (IDA) grant to support women’s social and economic empowerment in South Sudan.

The four-year project will be implemented by the gender, child, and social welfare ministry. It targets ninety-one thousand women and over five thousand adolescent girls in the country.

The South Sudan Women’s social and economic project aims to empower women entrepreneurs in formalizing and scaling up their business activities and help the survivors of gender-based violence access the necessary services that will enable them to rebuild their lives.

Firas Raad, the World Bank country manager in South Sudan, says the money will also support survivors of gender-based violence to recover from the physical and psychological trauma they endured.

He says the project will help expand their access to vital health services and psychosocial and will work on strengthening the prevention of GBV.

Mr. Firas added that the grant would improve the beneficiaries’ livelihood by providing the assignments, training, and technical assistance.

The national Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, Ayaa Benjamin Wardle, welcomed the support.

“Empowering women to participate fully in civic and economic life will make South Sudan more prosperous and peaceful. With improved financial security,” she said.

The implementation of this project is expected to start in September this year, but the eligibility and Modalities of money allocation are not being revealed.