The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commissioner in Sierra Leone, Professor Fatou Sow Sahr, along with her delegation, engaged the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) to initiate the construction of a sanitary pad industrial zone in Kono District. This initiative aligns with ECOWAS's broader agenda to bolster development in Sierra Leone, mainly focusing on women's empowerment.
Professor Sahr highlighted ECOWAS's continued intervention through MoPED to foster regional development, emphasising initiatives that empower women economically and socially.
Salimata Thim, ECOWAS's Principal Programme Officer for Gender, emphasised the need for proactive measures and innovative approaches to executing the sanitary pad project. She noted that Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal will jointly oversee the project. This reaffirmed ECOWAS's commitment to implementing policies that enhance women's empowerment across the region.
Isatu Conteh Njai, Acting Director at MoPED, underscored the long-term benefits of the sanitary pad manufacturing centre, especially for rural women and women suffering from fistula. She described the project as a bold step toward improving women's well-being. Conteh Njai also revealed plans for continuous stakeholder consultations to prioritise urgent aspects of the project. A steering committee comprising representatives from member states has been established to oversee legal frameworks, procurement processes, gender sensitivity, and women's development strategies. This initiative will also align with women's economic empowerment goals, marking ECOWAS's 50th anniversary.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development Kenyeh Barlay expressed gratitude for ECOWAS's intervention in Sierra Leone. She pledged her ministry's full support in collaborating with ECOWAS to implement this project, aligning it with Sierra Leone's Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030) and the ECOWAS Big Five Game Changers, specifically under Category Three: Human Capital Development. Minister Barlay highlighted the project's potential to create job opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth, contributing to broader youth empowerment goals. She reaffirmed MoPED's commitment to leading the coordination process, working closely with the Ministry of Gender and other key stakeholders.
Minister Barlay concluded by extending heartfelt thanks to ECOWAS representatives and reaffirming the ministry's dedication to the project's successful execution.
John Farfira Kamara johnfarfirakamara@gmail.com +232 79 185532
Comentarios