LÉO — In a significant step to combat violent extremism, the Saadon association, in partnership with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), launched the second phase of its program aimed at empowering women, known as “women preventing violent extremism (WPVE),” on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, in Léo, the capital of Sissili province in the Central-West region of Burkina Faso.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the country representative of USIP, the event was marked by the presence of key figures including the representative of the high commissioner, the secretary general of the province of Sissili, Baowindsida Bingo, and Moussa Ouédraogo, the second vice-president of the special delegation of the commune of Léo. The ceremony also saw participation from customary and traditional authorities, along with representatives from various civil society organizations.

The WPVE program is designed to enhance women’s leadership and strategic influence in policy formulation and actions aimed at preventing violent extremism within their communities. Nama highlighted the program’s implementation across the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, with the Saadon association driving its execution in Burkina Faso. The initiative has fostered the emergence of women leaders in Léo, known as “Amazons of Peace.”

Nama extended her gratitude towards the Sissili province’s local authorities for their unwavering support since the inception of the program’s pilot phase. She also acknowledged the Saadon association for its dynamic role and commended all stakeholders for their dedication to achieving the program’s goals.

The Secretary General of Sissili province, Baowindsida Bingo, expressed his appreciation for the efforts that facilitated the progress of the program’s first phase. He lauded the US Institute of Peace and the Saadon association for their contributions towards enhancing the capacity of women leaders in preventing radicalization and violent extremism in Sissili.

Bingo emphasized the program’s significant impact on showcasing the leadership of Sissili’s valiant women and the Amazons of Peace, whose influence has now extended across the region. He assured that the second phase would focus on consolidating the program’s achievements and strengthening the role of Amazon women and the youth network in combating radicalization and violent extremism in Burkina Faso.

With hopes for Sissili to serve as an inspiring model for other localities, Bingo called for the successful implementation of the program’s second phase, which includes a two-day training course for the peace amazons and youth of Sissili under the theme “Leadership in the Service of Peace.”