In Adaklu District and Ho Municipality, widespread unemployment and poverty among young women were worsened by COVID-19, leading to rising teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, and gender-based exploitation. Many girls missed school due to lack of sanitary pads, with some resorting to transactional sex, increasing risks of HIV/AIDS, child marriage, and violence. To address these challenges, Gray Network implemented a project funded by Global Youth Mobilization (USA).
- Established a Community Training Center as a hub for skills development.
- Trained teenage mothers, school dropouts, and unemployed girls in sewing, soap and cosmetic making.
- Provided starter packs and formed cooperatives for sustainability.
- Offered digital and branding training to improve product value and expand markets.
- Adolescent Girls: 350
- Young Women: 150
- Beneficiaries gained sustainable skills and launched income-generating activities.
- Reduced reliance on transactional sex, lowering risks of teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and child marriage.
- Strengthened digital literacy, enabling participants to reach wider markets.
- Enhanced confidence, independence, and resilience among young women.
By equipping young women with skills, tools, and opportunities, this project breaks cycles of poverty and exploitation, protects adolescent girls, and builds stronger, self-reliant communities.