Togo / Promotion of Women’s Empowerment under President Faure Gnassingbé: A concrete commitment to Autonomy

Under the visionary leadership of President Faure Gnassingbé, Togo has firmly committed to gender equity, placing the empowerment of women at the core of its political agenda. An example of this commitment is the launch, on November 14th, of the Sub-Saharan Africa Women Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Project (SWEDD+), a regional project supported by the World Bank.

This initiative stems from months of preparatory work, highlighting the Togolese government’s determination to give a new impetus to women’s empowerment.

 Minister of Social Action, Women’s Advancement, and Literacy, Lolonyo Anakoma-Apedoh, played a key role in realizing this vision, showcasing the active participation of women in prominent decision-making roles.

In this context, the appointment of Mrs. Victoire Dogbé as Prime Minister and Mrs. Yawa Djigbodi TSEGAN elected as the President of the Togolese National Assembly illustrates President Faure Gnassingbé’s commitment to breaking gender barriers, providing inspiring role models for future generations.

With its approved budget of 37.5 billion FCFA by the World Bank, SWEDD+ aims to enhance access for Togolese girls and women to education, economic opportunities, and health services.

The vision is to economically empower 105,000 young girls and women through targeted community interventions.

Economic empowerment of women and the promotion of girls’ education are fundamental pillars of the project, reflecting the government’s profound understanding of the importance of gender equity for Togo’s sustainable development.

The SWEDD+ project supports numerous programs and projects already implemented in Togo in key sectors such as health, social services, education, and inclusive finance.

These initiatives, touching all segments of society, demonstrate the government’s consistent commitment to addressing the diverse needs of the population, especially women, who represent 51% of the Togolese population according to the latest census results.

The promotion of women and the consolidation of their presence in decision-making positions in Togo under President Faure Gnassingbé are tangible facts.

Chantal TAWELESSI