Youth and Women Employment in Conflict-Affected Regions
Conducted by Crosswise Works
Conflict has far-reaching effects on the socio-economic fabric of nations, profoundly disrupting businesses, job seekers, and policymakers in affected areas. These disruptions manifest through a cascade of challenges, creating barriers to economic stability and growth. Businesses, for instance, are often forced to operate in volatile and unstable socio-political contexts, requiring constant adaptation to survive. Many initiatives are delayed or cancelled entirely, while supply chains are disrupted by displacement and logistical constraints. High staff turnover, fuelled by brain drain and an inability to retain qualified personnel, compounds these operational difficulties. For many businesses, financial pressures mount as fluctuating exchange rates and inflation, while rising costs of raw materials and logistics make sustaining operations a daunting task.
Prevalent in the research data, youth, and specifically young women, in these regions encounter common barriers to economic participation. Limited access to education and skills development, financial exclusion, restrictive cultural norms, and weak infrastructure are pervasive issues. Conflict exacerbates these challenges, disrupting economic systems and reducing opportunities for meaningful work. Financial exclusion remains a significant obstacle, particularly for women and rural youth, but innovative financial models offer effective solutions.
The Research
Commissioned by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) and conducted by Crosswise Works, this research investigates the complex employment challenges faced by youth, especially young women, in conflict-affected regions. The study, conducted in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Sudan, explores actionable strategies to enhance economic engagement and highlights solutions to creating sustainable ecosystems with employment opportunities for youth, especially young women, that can be adapted to other fragile contexts.
Despite significant barriers, private sector small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in these countries have demonstrated resilience and innovation, revealing transferable practices that can foster employment for youth across similar settings.
Prevalent in the research data, youth, and specifically young women, in these regions encounter common barriers to economic participation. Limited access to education and skills development, financial exclusion, restrictive cultural norms, and weak infrastructure are pervasive issues. Conflict exacerbates these challenges, disrupting economic systems and reducing opportunities for meaningful work. However, SMEs have proven to be key actors in addressing these challenges, leveraging their adaptability to create jobs and support local economies.
Case Study – Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso, the “land of honest men,” is a democratic and secular republic in West Africa with French as its official language. Since 2015, the country has faced escalating insecurity driven by the expansion of violent extremist groups, primarily linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. These Unidentified Armed Groups (GANI) have intensified their attacks on security forces, government institutions, and civilians, particularly in the northern and eastern regions, including Sahel, Centre-Nord, Est, and Boucle du Mouhoun. The conflict has been fueled by a combination of weak state presence in remote areas, local grievances, intercommunal tensions, and competition over scarce resources, such as land and water.
Case Study – Ethiopia
Located in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a large, landlocked country. Conflict is a major constraint to economic activities in Ethiopia. Historically for Ethiopia, government transition or change is not happening without upheaval. Since the change of government in 2018, the country has been in continuous conflicts spread over most parts of the country, specifically the three regions Oromia, Amhara and Tigray. While these conflicts may be smaller in scale, sporadic violence continues to occur across the country at any given time. This volatile situation has brought multi-layer challenges to the residents in those conflict prone zones, and significantly for the youth and women.
Case Study – Jordan
Jordan, a stable yet economically fragile nation in the heart of the Middle East. It is home to a population of 11.3 million people as of 2025. The country is deeply influenced by its complex geopolitical environment and boasts a rich history of nomadic culture that continues to shape its societal norms and traditions. Hosting one of the largest refugee populations in the world—predominantly from Syria and Palestine—Jordan faces immense pressure on its labor market and public services. Regional conflicts, including the ongoing Gaza crisis and the prolonged Syrian conflict, have further exacerbated challenges such as unemployment, particularly among women and youth, while straining the country’s already fragile employment ecosystem. These crises have disrupted trade routes, increased dependency on international aid, and heightened competition for limited job opportunities. Despite these significant challenges, Jordan continues to play a vital role in fostering regional stability and driving innovation.
Case Study – Sudan
Sudan, the third-largest country in Africa, is a nation of immense potential but one deeply affected by fragility and conflict. Spanning 1.9 million square kilometers and home to a population of approximately 50 million, Sudan’s youthful demographic was once a driving force for urban migration and economic growth. However, the outbreak of conflict in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has plunged the country into turmoil. This conflict, rooted in power struggles and economic interests, has displaced millions, forcing many to migrate from urban hubs like Khartoum to rural areas or other urban centers such as Port Sudan. The impact on the employment sector has been devastating, with widespread destruction of infrastructure, disrupted industries, and diminished economic activity. Key sectors such as agriculture, services, and industry have suffered due to insecurity, looting, and hyperinflation, leaving the youth—the backbone of the nation’s workforce—struggling to find opportunities amid a collapsing job market. As Sudan grapples with extreme poverty, structural challenges, and a fragile economy, addressing youth unemployment is critical to rebuilding resilience and fostering long-term stability.
Feasibility to Adapt Solutions across Multiple Countries and Other Fragile Context Settings
