DANO, Burkina Faso - In preparation for the 167th International Women's Day and the 7th Women's Forum, the High Commissioner of Ioba province, Bernadette Adenyo née Sermé, led a consultation meeting in Dano on Monday, February 5, 2024, with representatives of women's groups to gather their concerns and recommendations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the meeting aimed to address the grievances from the previous forum and to outline new requests for the upcoming event. Assisted by Evariste Somé, the provincial director of national solidarity, and Clémentine Hien, the provincial coordinator of women of Ioba, the High Commissioner engaged with the participants on several critical issues affecting women in the region.

During the meeting, three primary grievances were identified: the need for the construction and equipment of an x-ray unit in the province, repairs and improvements to Dano's women's house including its fencing, and the establishment of a shea nut processing factory within Ioba. These concerns are set to be forwarded to Gaoua for further examination at a regional gathering.

Adenyo/Sermé highlighted the broader context of the 167th International Women's Day and the 7th National Women's Forum, noting the security crisis in Burkina Faso and its adverse effects on the economy. She referenced the government's 2023 launch of the community entrepreneurship program aimed at fostering endogenous development, which seeks to generate employment and stimulate the industrial, agricultural, and mining sectors.

The theme for this year's International Women's Day and National Women's Forum, "Promotion of community entrepreneurship: What contribution do women make?" reflects the government's vision of wealth creation through strategic sectors with significant contributions from women.

Adenyo/Sermé expressed her appreciation for the dedication of women's group leaders to the cause and welcomed the reinstatement of the national women's forum, which had been paused since 2020. She encouraged women to stay engaged in the organization of the 167th International Women's Day activities, ensuring alignment with the guidelines from the Ministry of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action, National Reconciliation, Gender, and Family.