The Girls & Women Economic Empowerment and Leadership Project (GWEEL) is a transformative initiative focused on empowering women and girls in Ghana’s Upper West Region to become economically independent, confident leaders and active participants in decision-making.
The programme addresses barriers that limit women’s economic advancement and leadership participation by providing entrepreneurship and livelihood training, leadership development, agricultural and vocational skills, human-rights education, and gender-based violence awareness.
GWEEL particularly supports women’s groups, women with disabilities, out-of-school girls, unemployed young women and widows, while also engaging men and boys as important partners in promoting gender equality.
Through training, community sensitization, advocacy, radio programmes and collaboration with social justice institutions, the project seeks to create an environment where women and girls can access opportunities, exercise their rights, build sustainable livelihoods and participate meaningfully in leadership.
OUR FOCUS
1.Women’s Economic Empowerment & Livelihoods
We empower women and girls with practical skills, entrepreneurship knowledge and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods. The programme supports women’s groups, unemployed young women, widows and women with disabilities to strengthen their businesses, improve their financial opportunities and become economically self-reliant.
Key Areas:
- Entrepreneurship and business skills
- Livelihood and life-skills training
- Support for women-led businesses and groups
- Business registration and development awareness
- Access to economic opportunities
- Start-up support for selected women and groups
2. Girls & Women in Leadership
We promote greater participation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making at community and national levels. Through leadership training, public education and advocacy, the programme builds confidence and equips women and girls to take active roles in shaping their communities.
Key Arears
01
Leadership development and training
02
Gender-equity sensitization
03
Community forums and public education
04
Advocacy for women's participation in decision-making
05
Awareness of Ghana’s Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024
06
Promoting greater representation of women in leadership
3. Skills Development, Agriculture & Non-Traditional Careers
We create opportunities for women and girls to develop practical skills in agriculture, entrepreneurship and traditionally male-dominated occupations. The programme challenges gender and cultural stereotypes while helping participants explore new pathways to employment, self-employment and economic independence.
Key Areas:
- Agricultural skills and enterprise development
- Vocational and practical skills training
- Entrepreneurship opportunities
- Support for women entering male-dominated occupations
- Skills development for out-of-school girls
- Income-generation and self-employment opportunities
4. Gender Rights & GBV Prevention
We educate women and girls about their human rights and the opportunities available to them, while creating awareness about sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The programme works to strengthen confidence, improve awareness of available justice and support systems, and encourage communities to challenge practices that enable violence and discrimination.
Key Areas:
- Agricultural skills and enterprise development
- Vocational and practical skills training
- Entrepreneurship opportunities
- Support for women entering male-dominated occupations
- Skills development for out-of-school girls
- Income-generation and self-employment opportunities
01
Human-rights education
02
Gender-based violence sensitization
03
Community awareness and public forums
04
Radio and public education campaigns
05
Awareness of social justice services
06
Strengthening prevention and response to violence
5. Gender Equity Advocacy & Community Engagement
We work with communities, institutions and other stakeholders to promote gender equality and create an enabling environment for women and girls. Through advocacy, sensitization and institutional engagement, the programme promotes accountability and supports the progressive achievement of gender equity.
Key Areas:
- Gender-equity advocacy
- Community sensitization
- Stakeholder engagement
- Public education on gender equity
- Advocacy for implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act
- Strengthening social justice institutions