Poni: The Presidency of Burkina Faso officially handed over a market garden plot to the women of the Gaoua commune this Wednesday. This handover is part of the commemoration of International Women's Day, celebrated every March 8.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the market garden, covering 1.5 hectares, comprises eight ponds supplied by a 10,000-liter water tower. The entire system is powered by a 4,800-watt solar array.
The technical coordinator of the presidential initiative, Dominique Kondombo, stated that this action reflects the desire to move away from traditional festive celebrations in favor of initiatives that economically empower women. "This year, we wanted to go beyond festive activities to initiate a structuring project for the benefit of women. This infrastructure will contribute significantly to the empowerment of beneficiaries, the improvement of food security and the strengthening of income-generating activities," he said.
Kondombo also urged the beneficiaries to maintain the facilities to ensure their sustainability for future generations, expressing a vision where Gaoua could be cited as an example of successful infrastructure maintenance by women.
The Secretary General of the Dj´r´ region, Robert Zougrouana, assured that rigorous monitoring will be implemented to guarantee the project's success. He specified that the regional directorate in charge of Women and Solidarity will provide ongoing support, while the regional directorate of Agriculture will offer close technical monitoring by deploying agents to supervise market gardening activities.
His Majesty Bifate II, the chief of the canton of Gaoua, expressed gratitude towards the authorities, highlighting that the initiative will improve access to vegetables, reducing the need to travel long distances, such as to Bobo-Dioulasso, for produce.
The representative of the beneficiaries, Madeleine Da Kambou, expressed appreciation for the market garden area, emphasizing its role in the empowerment and development of women. She noted that this initiative will foster social cohesion by uniting displaced and host women through shared activities. In her message, she extended recognition and support to the President of Faso and his government, offering prayers for the success of their initiatives in favor of women and the nation.
This initiative stands as a testament to the commitment to local development and the promotion of women's economic rights.