b'Women are amongst some of the most vulnerable people in rural communities and gender inequality remains a major obstacle to the elimination of extreme poverty inTogo. Women do not experience the same educational or economic opportunities as men. They are less likely to finish school, have access to financial services, or be able to exercise their basic human rights. In rural areas, nearly half of women aged between 15-24 years old cannot read or write, and it is common for older women to be illiterate. Nearly one-quarter of women are married before the age of 19 and half of those women go on to have children within the first year of their marriage. With little or no access to family planning advice or contraception, women are trapped in a cycle of poverty.Women often bear the responsibility for meeting their familys needs, with a lack of access to essential services, and no capital to start a sustainable business, they often struggle to grow their income and remain financially dependent on men, unable to work their way out of poverty or shape their own futures.Gender inequality underpins the key issues surrounding higher levels of poverty in women, such as financial exclusion, lack of access to education and basic healthcare, gender-based violence and low pay. Dekis Womens Empowerment Collectives programme simultaneously addresses gender inequality and poverty. This programme is designed to create a supportive and enabling environment for women to increase their skills and confidence. It provides women with opportunities to develop new skills, access financialsupport, and learn about their rights. Womens Empowerment Collectives are a place for women to come together and support each other as mothers, as friends and as business owners. They meet fortnightly to have business management training, alongside workshops on womens rights, family planning and other health issues. These sessions allow them to develop their business skills and decision-making abilities, whilst also giving them leadership opportunities, as President, Treasurer or Secretary of their collective. This helps to grow their confidence and deepen their self-worth. When a woman has her own source of income and learns to have her own voice, she becomes empowered to make the changes she wants to see for her family and in her community, she can become a role model for the next generation. With opportunities, empowerment and support, women can transform their lives and work their way out of poverty.'