The ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (ECGD) is set to officially launch its gender programmes in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire on June 21, 2024. The event will take place at the auditorium of the Office of the Prime Minister in Abidjan, under the patronage and presence of His Excellency Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister and Head of Government of Côte d’Ivoire.
This initiative falls within the framework of the ECOWAS Gender Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2030, aimed at promoting gender-sensitive disaster risk reduction. The launch event is organized in partnership with the Ministry for Women, the Family and Children (MFFE) and the Ministry attached to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Living Abroad.
Key attendees include His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission; Honourable Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, President of the ECOWAS Parliament; Mrs. Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture; and Honourable Veronica Kadie Sesay, Representative of ECOFEPA.
The ECGD has been actively working since 2010 to provide technical and financial support programs targeting women, men, young people, and children. Among these initiatives is a Medical and Financial Support Programme for Women and Girls Suffering from Obstetric Fistula. This program aims to improve health outcomes for affected women and girls.
Another significant programme promotes girls' education in specialized technical and vocational training sectors by offering scholarships to bright young girls from poor families. This initiative seeks to equip young girls in the ECOWAS region with quality education and skills in fields such as agricultural research, biotechnology, molecular biology, among others.
Additionally, there is a programme providing technical and financial support to women processors of agricultural, fishery, and craft products to enhance their economic empowerment. The "50 Million African Women Speak" project further aims to facilitate women's empowerment through a virtual platform that offers networking opportunities as well as access to financial information.
Côte d’Ivoire is one of the beneficiaries under these programmes with an exceptional allocation from ECOWAS aimed at addressing obstetric fistula issues. This includes medical care for 60 women suffering from fistula, rehabilitation efforts for care units, training for medical staff and social workers, along with awareness campaigns about fistula's causes and consequences.
These initiatives are managed by MFFE in collaboration with relevant technical ministries. The Ministry attached to the Minister of Foreign Affairs coordinates these efforts through the ECOWAS National Office.
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