Fatick Women’s Empowerment Kick-Off Ceremony

Group photo of Women from Fatick, Alumni Association members and U.S. Embassy representatives {US Embassy photo]

On September 22, the Senegalese Alumni Association started off the first phase of the 2012 “Women’s Empowerment” competition in the Fatick region (Shanghai village -- population 1,700).  This phase is to enable the already-existing women’s association to move beyond subsistence production into higher value and market-oriented production.  The Senegalese Alumni Association donated two crop production pieces of equipment: a machine that produces peanut butter and another one that grounds millet.  The Alumni Association was represented by Ndeye Marie Meissa Gueye Fall, President, and Ramatoulaye Seck Sene, Secretary General. The U.S. Embassy was also invited and represented by Mr. John Silver, Regional English Language Officer.

The second and third phases of the project will be organized in the regions of Thies and Tambacounda, respectively. Women in Thies will be given sewing machines whereas in Tambacounda women will be provided with adequate equipmentsto do market gardening.

The whole project aims to be a realistic driver for mass poverty reduction and rural development through women who play vital roles in crop production, household food security, and household nutrition.