The First Lady, Ms Dominique Ouattara has been in the Democratic Republic of Congo since yesterday, Thursday June 15, 2023, to take part in the festivities marking the 20th anniversary of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). This event, which brings together the wives of African Heads of State to promote socio-economic development and the well-being of the continent’s populations, takes place from June 17 to 18, 2023 in Kinshasa.
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On the sidelines of OAFLAD’s 20th anniversary: First Lady announces 300 million CFA francs in FAFCI funding for Ivorian women living in the DRC
Ahead of this historic meeting, the wife of the Head of State met with Ivorian women living in the DRC on Friday June 16, 2023, in the Kinshasa room of the Hôtel Fleuve Congo.
The Ivorian women, who turned out in large numbers gave her a warm welcome. Two topics were on the agenda: the situation of these women, and the Funds for Ivorian Women (FAFCI). Seizing the opportunity of this meeting, Simone Rivière Gema, Vice-President of the Ivorian Diaspora in the DRC in charge of women’s affairs, requested the support of the First Lady so that they could benefit from funding for their projects under the FAFCI program. “Mama Dominique Ouattara, your presence here today shows your unwavering dedication to the cause of women on our continent. Through FAFCI, the “Fonds d’Appui aux Femmes de Côte d’Ivoire”, or should I say, the “Fabrique d’Ambitions pour des Femmes Courageuses et Inspirées”, you have given women the opportunity to turn their dreams into tangible realities, to brighten their future through education, entrepreneurship and self-fulfilment. Following in the footsteps of our sisters in the Ivorian diaspora in Brazzaville, we would like to request to be included in this fund, which is a real opportunity for women’s empowerment”, wished Madame Simone Rivière Gema, Vice-President of the Ivorian Diaspora in the DRC in charge of women.
The First Lady then spoke to the women about their living conditions in the DRC. After listening to them, Madame Dominique Ouattara announced that an envelope of 300 million F CFA would be made available to finance their income-generating activities. “What I remember is that you lack the means. But with FAFCI, you’ll have them (…),” she promised her sisters and daughters, who were present in large numbers in the room.
The meeting was also a moment of communion and fraternity. Indeed, the wife of the Head of State took advantage of the ceremony to offer $10,000 to the women of the Association. In return, the members of the Association presented the wife of the Head of State with a sculpture.
