West and Central Africa (WCA) is the region of the world with the largest percentage of young people and the highest gender disparity in education. A number of factors are responsible for the persistent gender disparities in education.

Early adolescence, age 10 to 14, is a pivotal moment in the lives of young girls and boys around the world.

Nearly half of the world's population, some 3 billion people, is under the age of 25.