JSF to create 3,000 jobs for women and youth

Speaking at the launch of the Jobs, Skills and Finance for Women and Youth Programme (JSF), the Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation to The Gambia, Stephane Meert, said that the programme will create about 3,000 jobs for women and youth in The Gambia.  

With the aim of stabilising the economic, social and security situation of the country by enhancing the social inclusion and employment of women and young people, the project will help young entrepreneurs to access funding, something Mr. Meert said has been a challenge in the country. Another aim of the programme is to promote gender equality and address climate change.

The EUR 16 million programme will be implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCFD) in partnership with the International Trade Centre and is funded by the European Union (EU).

Speaking at the occasion, Pepetwa Katepa Kalala, the FAO Country Representative said that young people face significant barriers to entering into the Gambian labour market and that their exclusion will only reinforce poverty.

According to her, women in the Gambia especially are excluded and went on to say that women who do participate in the labour market are more likely to engage into low productivity activities.

Sophie De Coninck, UNCDF’s Africa Programme Manager for the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility “We are confident this programme will be a positive contributor in promoting job creation in The Gambia through green and resilient local economies”

Commenting on the project, Jasuma Ceesay, a young female entrepreneur, expressed delight at the introduction of the project in the Gambia. Ceesay affirmed that the JSF project could help her realise her dreams and added that many young people will be transformed from job seekers to job creators thanks to the project.

The young entrepreneur is a fruit seller who intends to expand her business once she acquires support from the project.

TMP – 16/11/2018

Photo credit: EUinTheGambia

Photo caption: The EU head of Cooperation, Stephane Meert, delivering a statement at the official launch of the JSF programme.