The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Gender Development Center (GDC), officially launched its gender programmes for Togo on October 24, 2024 in Sokodé, Togo, as part of its commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all in the region.
To support the implementation of gender programmes, a check for USD 245,000 was presented to the Togolese Republic to finance the programme to combat obstetric fistula. In 2024, ECOWAS is providing financial assistance to eight Member States to contribute to the eradication of this disease in the region.
The funds will support four key areas: surgical repair for women and girls affected by obstetric fistula, socio-economic reintegration of survivors into their communities, awareness campaigns on the causes and prevention of fistula, and the rehabilitation of national reference centers for its treatment.
During her speech, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, represented by Sandra Oulaté Fattoh, Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development, stressed that the health sector in Togo, like other countries in the region, faces a high prevalence of obstetric fistula, with an estimate ranging from 1,200 to 18,500 cases.
“It is conscious of these concerns that ECOWAS, through the CCDG, seeks to intensify its efforts in favour of the Gender Agenda by promoting actions aimed at building resilient communities, based on equal rights between men. and women in West Africa. These efforts translate into targeted activities with a strong socio-economic impact and complementary to the initiatives already undertaken by the Member States,†she added.
Professor Tchin Darre, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene of Togo, represented by Dr Kokou Wotobe, Secretary General of the Ministry, expressed his gratitude to the various ECOWAS bodies, in particular the CCDG, for their support constant which positions Togo among the main beneficiaries of this program.
He also recalled that “the response to obstetric fistula must be multi-sectoral, addressing root causes such as lack of access to health services and education, persistent poverty, gender inequalities, marriage early pregnancy and lack of protection of fundamental rights. To address these challenges, other CCDG programmes have been established, including Scholarships, Economic Transformation and the “50 Million African Women Speakâ€.
While officially opening the launch of the CCDG programmes, Professor Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, Minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity and the Promotion of Women of Togo, insisted on the fact that the fight against fistula Obstetrics is not limited to reconstructive surgery, but requires an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to effectively manage the challenges faced by victims.
“I urgently call on all stakeholders to mobilize more resources to enable the effective implementation of the strategic plan to combat obstetric fistula in our country. I also salute the courage of the women who came forward to be diagnosed, despite the stigma, discrimination and ostracism associated with this condition. I encourage these women to become the Government’s voices for our sisters who suffer in silence, hidden in the shadows, rejected by their husbands and communities,” she added.
According to the statement by the ECOWAS Commission, the EGDC has developed several initiatives in Togo aimed at empowering women and girls, including:
- Medical and financial support programme: it provides assistance to women and girls affected by obstetric fistula, in order to help them regain their dignity and resume a productive life;
- Girls’ Promotion Programme: it awards scholarships of excellence to talented young girls from disadvantaged families;
- Technical and financial support program for women: it strengthens the economic empowerment of women active in the sectors of agriculture, fishing and crafts, by promoting their emancipation;
- “50 Million Women Speak†project: it gives women access to a virtual platform that facilitates networking and access to the information necessary for the creation and development of their businesses.
This initiative demonstrates ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting gender equality and social development, while strengthening regional cooperation and creating inclusive opportunities for all people in West Africa.
GIK/APA
