Value Girls Program: Increasing Resilience through Economic and Social Development Sherry Khan Cardno Emerging Markets USA

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Value Girls Program Increasing Resilience
through Economic and Social DevelopmentSherry
KhanCardno Emerging Markets USA
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Background

• Target population Young women 14-24 years
• Location Nyanza and Western Province, Kenya
• Objective Improve the socio-economic welfare of
  these young women
• Approach Strengthen participation in high growth
  value chains
• Period of performance 2008-2012
• Funders Nike Foundation and USAID

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Conceptual Approach
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Program Model
KBDS
Local Facilitating Partners
Program Management
Savings Mobilization
Economic
Improve socio-economic development of girls and
young women
Core Components
Core Strategies
Access to Credit
Social
Production and Market Linkages
Support Activities
Men and Boys
Technical Service Providers
Business Development
Financial Literacy
Mentorship
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Results

• Young women in enterprises 2202
• Men boys reached 1643
• of girls with increased incomes 71
• of girls with savings accounts 75
• Loans disbursed 1121 valued 145,000
• Loan repayment rate 90
• Increased confidence decision making

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Lessons Learned

• Who does it? Who pays?
• A phased approach helps manage risk
• Learning by doing is attractive to young women
• Despite low incomes they save regularly
• Young women often have the best solutions to
  their problems theyre resourceful
• Be demand, not supply, driven
• Dont shield young women from market risks
• Involve men and boys early on

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Challenges

• Starting a business takes time
• Operating in a culture of handouts
• Value Girls understanding of project objectives
  low older women caught on more quickly
• Constant changes in market
• Previous bad experience with financial
  institutions

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Assets

• Social support
• Business education
• Own enterprises
• Savings
• Financial literacy and access to finance
• Increased respect at home in community
• Higher self esteem
• They are now economic agents of the household and
  community.

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• Thank you!
• Sherry.Khan_at_Cardno.com