Over the past 23 years, we have continuously expanded and adapted our programs to provide support to more than 78,000 marginalized women across the country. Our flagship socio-economic empowerment program and microcredit support have played a pivotal role in this effort.
To ensure a sustainable impact among the women we support, we have taken several strategic steps. Firstly, we have established women graduates' networks in all sectors and districts of our current operation, spanning seven districts. Additionally, we have successfully digitized 143 women saving groups, enabling them to access mobile money services through feature phones. This adaptation was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring adherence to social distancing rules while facilitating financial transactions.
In an innovative approach, we have introduced the Men's Engagement Program (MEP) to address gender inequalities and combat discriminatory customs and gender-based violence. Nearly 170 men have undergone training through this program, equipping them to actively support women's rights and participation within their households and communities.
One crucial lesson we have learned is the alarming rise in teenage pregnancy rates in Rwanda in recent years, which is a matter of great concern. To tackle this issue, we are focused on building resilience and sustainable socio-economic livelihoods for young mothers. By doing so, we aim to break the cycle of deep-rooted poverty in Rwandan society and contribute to the country's overall development.
Since 2016, we have been organizing business plan development training, culminating in competitions where winners receive awards. To date, more than 500 women have received training in business plan development, and we have held 10 successful competitions, disbursing awards worth over US$50,000.
In terms of digitization, we conducted a successful pilot project with six savings groups. The results of this pilot demonstrated the need for scaling up. Since October 2020, an additional 54 savings groups have been digitized. With funding secured, we plan to digitize 240 savings groups in 2021. Currently, we are closely monitoring over 2,000 conventional savings groups spread across the seven districts of Rwanda, emphasizing the massive need to digitize the remaining groups.
By expanding our programs, strengthening networks, promoting financial inclusion, and addressing pressing social issues, we strive to create a positive and lasting impact on the lives of marginalized women in Rwanda.