#Youth Forum

NYC launches mentorship training to empower young women

Jan 21, 2025, 12:06 PM | Article By: Lamin Darboe

The National Youth Council (NYC), through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has launched a mentorship training to develop and empower young women in the country.

The training, held recently, covered crucial topics such as sexual and reproductive health, communication, gender roles and financial literacy.

The mentorship programme, funded by the Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD+) project, is focused on uplifting young women through education, self-reliance and leadership qualities.

The training addressed the unique challenges faced by young women, providing them with the knowledge and support needed to navigate life confidently.

Deputy Executive Director of the National Youth Council, Madam Mberry Jobe, urged participants to make best use of the knowledge gained from the training.

Program Officer for Peace, Security and Justice, Omar Bah, emphasised the importance of equipping mentors with necessary skills to create a ripple effect that positively impacts communities.

Bah emphasised that empowering young women to decision-making initiatives would drive meaningful change and uplift communities.

He advised participants to explore various mentoring areas, including the roles of mentors, managing emotions and creating supportive environments.

He pointed out that mentorship programme is a critical step in addressing the challenges young women face, ensuring they have the resources and support to lead empowered, healthy lives and shape a brighter future.

Ogis Jatta, who led a dynamic session on leadership and influence, encouraged participants to harness their potential as future leaders.

Jatta stated that engagement discussions would help young women to explore qualities of effective leadership and learn how to wield positive influence within their communities.

In a session on conflict management and resolution, Karamo Tambajang provided practical strategies for addressing disputes constructively.

Tambajang guided participants on how to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and mutual understanding.

Satang Dumbuya offered deep insights into personal strengths and weaknesses, helping participants identify and leverage their unique attributes.

Dumbuya stated that sessions were aimed at building a foundation for personal and professional development by encouraging young women to maximize their strengths and improve their weaknesses.

The activities concluded with a confidence-building session, empowering participants to confront challenges with resilience.

Through interactive exercises and motivational talks, both young women and men gained valuable tools to enhance their self-esteem and assertiveness, critical components for their empowerment journey.

The SWEDD+ project, a part of the Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend initiative, extends beyond traditional workshops.

The project approach is to equip young women with necessary skills and confidence to shape their future.

Essential topics such as sexual and reproductive health, communication, gender roles and financial literacy were covered during the training.

The SWEDD+ project fosters environmental trust and empowerment, preparing participants to become agents of change in their communities.