Economic empowerment in Benin through the World Bank-funded SWEDD project, supported by UNFPA has provided women with sustainable livelihoods like farming and rearing animals to support their families, invest in education and healthcare, and influence household and community decisions. Empowered women inspire others and drive local economic growth, creating a ripple effect that promotes gender equality and long-term development in their communities. 

Kpétékan, Benin - Virginie, 22, a young entrepreneur from Benin, is proof that a small opportunity can transform a life. After graduating from high school, she moved to Cotonou with hopes of pursuing further education. However, her family’s financial constraints halted her plans, and she returned to her village. It was there that the SWEDD project offered her a chance to attend a training programme that would set her on a path she never anticipated.

The SWEDD project, dedicated to empowering young women not only with knowledge on their sexual and reproductive health and rights, but also practical skills and economic independence, introduced Virginie to animal husbandry. Initially, she started with poultry farming but found the costs unsustainable. That’s when SWEDD offered her an alternative: four rabbits—three females and one male.

“I didn’t think I’d like it, but once I started, I really began to enjoy it,” Virginie says. “Rabbits don’t require much. They’re easier to manage than poultry.”

The rabbits live in wooden cages in a large earth hut to shelter them from the sun and predators. “I can’t leave them outside, it's too dangerous for them,” she says. 

For Virginie, raising rabbits has brought more than just financial stability; it’s given her a sense of autonomy, and pride. “I don’t depend on my parents anymore. I can take care of my needs on time,” she shares. With the savings from her rabbit farming, she has expanded her household livestock to include pigs and local chickens.

Later she sees herself as a successful businesswoman, managing her farm and expanding her ventures. Her new ideal: becoming a vet.  “For now, I’m focused on building my future,” she says. “Marriage can wait until I’ve established myself. I don’t want anything to hold me back.”

Empowerment through life-skills and business training

Virginie credits much of her success to the training she received through SWEDD. Over a six months training programme she learned not just the technicalities of rabbit farming but also how to diversify her skills. The programme introduced participants to opportunities like soap-making, tailoring, and snail farming, as well as managing a small business, savings and investments.

“The training taught me more than just farming. It opened my eyes to other possibilities. There are so many things we can do to support ourselves.”

The SWEDD project in Benin through UNFPA’s technical assistance is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering young women and adolescent girls through economic opportunities and education. Targeting marginalized and underserved communities, SWEDD focuses on young women who have left school early or face limited access to resources, and equips them with practical skills, startup support, and mentorship. By fostering autonomy and self-reliance, the project is changing lives and creating a generation of empowered women who are breaking cycles of dependency and poverty.