A brighter future is dawning for 200 young women in Sierra Leone, thanks to a life-changing initiative from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its partners.

Through the SHINESALONE Project, these women have been trained in solar installation — an empowering step toward building not just technical skills, but stronger, independent lives. This project was implemented by SEND Sierra Leone with support from Green Solar Africa.

But this isn’t just a one-off training session. It’s part of a broader mission to economically uplift women, opening doors to green jobs and entrepreneurship. With a structured follow-up program in place, the young women will now receive advanced training in areas such as solar energy business management, cooperative development, professional certifications, and one-on-one mentorship.

The aim is simple but powerful: equip women not just to work, but to lead — to run their own solar enterprises, take charge of their financial futures, and play a central role in building a more sustainable Sierra Leone.

“This initiative is about more than just skills,” said a UNDP representative in Sierra Leone. “It’s about real-world opportunities, gender equality, and making clean energy more accessible.”

In a world that’s constantly changing, especially in the energy sector, programs like this are helping bridge the gender gap and ensure that young women are not left behind. The empowerment of women isn’t just a human right — it’s also a smart strategy for sustainable development. By targeting UN Sustainable Development Goals 5, 7, and 8 (gender equality, affordable and clean energy, and decent work and economic growth), the project is investing in people and the planet.

These 200 women now stand at the threshold of a new chapter — one where they can shine in a male-dominated field and light up their communities, literally and figuratively.