The International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) has received a grant of $1.56 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support women economic empowerment initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa. (SSA)

The grant was also to fund a two-year research initiative which is designed to increase understanding of the role that infrastructure played in improving women’s economic empowerment in SSA.

The President of ICED, Dr David Sarfo Ameyaw said “ICED is excited about this grant that will go a long away in identifying fundamental evidence gaps that if addressed will bring African countries closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”

He said incorporating the diverse needs of girls and women in infrastructure development empowered them by incorporating their voices in the decision-making process.

“This initiative will gather evidence that will guide governments in Africa on how to plan, deliver, and manage infrastructural development based on gender mainstreaming approach to address gender-based barriers impeding access to infrastructure services,” he said.

Dr Ameyaw said the lack of access to inclusive infrastructure and safe and nutritious diets also had negative impact on women’s economic empowerment.

“ICED notes that the lack of infrastructure had emerged as a major challenge for agricultural development on the continent as it poses a great risk to rural livelihoods by hindering access to affordable, healthy, safe and nutritious diets by low-income producers and consumers,” he said.

The President of ICED said he outfit anticipated that the findings under the research initiative would be instrumental in identifying emerging knowledge and evidence that can shape better infrastructure policies that contribute toward positive development outcomes for all in Africa.

“The research initiative will be focused on three policy areas, which include; the impact of different types of infrastructure on access to affordable, safe, and nutritious diets; the types and design of infrastructure investments and whether they are conducive to advancing the choices that low-income consumers make; and the role of policymakers and development organizations in strengthening the design of gender-inclusive and nutrition-sensitive infrastructure investments,” he said.