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EMPOWERING WOMEN IN AFRICA
Decades of brutal civil wars have created endemic poverty in Liberia and Sierra Leone. One result of this poverty is that women are marginalized and are more vulnerable to exploitation. Since empowered women can be the most effective drivers of peace, prosperity, and development, Youth Action International is taking active steps to empower women in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
YAI is tackling the problems facing the women of Liberia and Sierra Leone through its Center for Women's Empowerment model. These centers use basic education, alternative counseling, vocational training, and micro-credit loans to alleviate the negative impacts that civil war has had on women in both countries. The centers promote the vital role women can play in sustainable development, and are an integral part of a long-term local capacity-building program for young women.
Through these Centers, YAI:
• Creates the necessary opportunities to help young women realize their full potential
• Provides facilities to help promote and encourage the education and skills training of young women
• Provides counseling and rehabilitation services to deal with post-traumatic stress and other war-related disorders
• Implements workshops on small business enterprise so women can develop their business skills
• Assigns women to skilled facilitators to work alongside them
• Ensures that women completing the program will have the knowledge and resources to develop and maintain a business
• Provides the women with computer training to help them market their products through online sites
• Provide capital to help women start and manage their small businesses
