Across West Africa, rural women play a central role in agriculture, trade, and community life. Yet, despite their contribution to food security and local economies, many still face barriers to land ownership, access to credit, markets, and training. Empowering these women economically is not only key to improving their livelihoods but also to strengthening entire communities. In this edition of Fifty Fifty, we explore both the challenges they encounter and the prospects for building a more inclusive and sustainable future