YWIGN Takes Financial Empowerment Campaign to Rural Women in Bonthe
Theresa Manneh The Young Women in Governance Network (YWIGN), through its Secretariat, has intensified efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and financial resilience through monitoring visits to Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups in Bonthe District.
The exercise was conducted under the ongoing implementation of the SAFE GIRL Project. It covered Gambia Community and Matter Jung Community, where the team engaged members of the NGOYILA Women’s Group and Gbonumo Women’s Group.
The purpose of the visits was to assess the groups’ progress, strengthen their financial management systems and ensure transparency, accountability and effective record-keeping in their savings activities.
During the engagements, the YWIGN Secretariat monitored the groups’ savings boxes, reviewed their management practices and interacted with members to understand their experiences, achievements and challenges.
The team also encouraged members to remain committed to their collective savings initiatives, emphasising the importance of financial discipline, transparency and mutual accountability in sustaining successful savings groups.
The team further stressed that investing in women’s economic empowerment is key to building stronger households, improving livelihoods and creating more resilient communities. It noted that through regular contributions and shared responsibility, members could develop a stronger savings culture, improve their financial management skills and create opportunities to invest in activities that enhance their livelihoods and household welfare.
Beyond the monitoring exercise, the visits highlighted the determination of women in rural communities to improve their economic circumstances through collective action and financial cooperation.
