Women from villages impacted by the Sanbrado Mines Corporation (SOMISA) gold project recently celebrated International Women's Day with a series of community events and discussions focused on crucial themes for their development. This celebration, which took place on March 9 and 10, 2024, was made possible thanks to the financial support of SOMISA, and saw the participation of women from different villages facing the challenges of the mining project. Faced with the precarious security context, SOMISA opted for a decentralized approach this year, allowing women from each village to organize around a community meal and debate the topics of their choice. The villages of Mankarga Traditionnel, Pousghin, Pilaka, Roulghin, Silmiougou, Sanbrado, Douré, Lollé and Mankarga Peulh all took part in this celebration, each emphasizing themes such as hygiene, children's education, income-generating activities, and social cohesion. SOMISA Senior Community Relations Coordinator and Gender Focal Point, Christelle Foméni, hig hlighted the importance of maintaining strong links between the mining company and local communities. 'We want to actively participate in cultural activities to strengthen social cohesion between SOMISA and the communities ,' she said. For her, women's empowerment is essential, and SOMISA works with them to ensure they can continue to thrive even after leaving the mine. Village representatives expressed their gratitude to SOMISA for its continued support. Bibata Sédogo de Pousghin encouraged women to focus on children's education as a way to promote sustainable development. Likewise, Céline Yaméogo from the village of Silmiougou was delighted with the holding of this day. According to her, the women of the village discussed the theme of hygiene and to put words into action, they cleaned the village chief's courtyard, the school and places of worship. Madeleine Tiendrébéogo from Pilaka highlighted the income-generating activities supported by SOMISA, such as weaving, dyeing and sewing, which have enabled wom en to gain financial autonomy. The provincial directors in charge of the promotion of women and youth also expressed their support for these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community entrepreneurship for local development. For the provincial director in charge of the advancement of women in Ganzourgou, Patrick Paré, the actions carried out by SOMISA correspond to the government's objectives in terms of the socioeconomic advancement of women. He praised the diversity of activities organized and the commitment of women to contribute to their own development. As for the provincial director in charge of youth in Ganzourgou, Sayouba P. Ouédraogo, he highlighted the crucial role of women in local development and called for strengthening cooperation between communities to maximize the impact of these initiatives. The celebration of International Women's Day in the villages impacted by SOMISA highlighted the potential of women to drive positive change in their communities despite the challenges faced. T his collaboration between the mining company and local populations demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development and the empowerment of women in the locality. Source: Burkina Information Agency Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani chaired a small cabinet meeting dedicated to the preparations of the 2024-2025 academic year, on Tuesday at the Government Palace in Kasbah. The meeting discussed the readiness of the National Company of Cellulose and Alpha Paper to fulfil its role in paper industry, so that other stakeholders can provide subsidised textbooks and school supplies on time. Emphasis was placed at the meeting on the importance of ensuring the proper distribution of subsidised textbooks and providing them in sufficient quantities, in order to resist monopolies and ensure a start of academic year under the best conditions. The Prime Minister stressed the need for optimal preparations for the success of the next school year. The cabinet meeting was attended by Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia, Minister of Social Affairs Malek Zahi, Minister of Economy and Planning Feriel Ouerghi Sebai, Minister of Trade and Export Development Kalthoum Ben Rejeb, Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy Fatma Th abet Chiboub, and Minister of Education Mohamed Ali Boughdiri. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
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