Social security : FAFCI and CNPS sign an agreement for the social security coverage of women

This signature marks a decisive step in the process of improving the living conditions of women. In the sense that this convention aims at setting up a partnership between the CNPS and the FAFCI which enables any fafci beneficiaries to register for the Social Security Scheme of Independent Workers (RSTI in order to guarantee the sustainability of their activities. Indeed, they will be able to continue their business, protected against the risks of loss of income in case of maternity, accidents, illness or retirement.

The First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, who initiated the FAFCI program, recalled the reasons behind the creation of the Support Fund for Women in Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI).  Indeed, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara decided to launch FAFCI because she has always believed in women’s potential to fight poverty. “As you know, I have always believed in the potential of women and in their ability to adapt to all circumstances. This is why I have decided to support women’s empowerment by creating the Support Fund for Women of Côte d’Ivoire, with the support of my dear husband, President Alassane Ouattara. In taking this action, I wanted to ensure that women are financially independent, by granting them financial resources at a lower cost, to develop income-generating activities,” recalled Mrs. Dominique Ouattara.

FAFCI in figures

Taking stock of the program almost 11 years after its inception, the wife of the Head of State recalled that a total of 353,000 women have benefited from the program.With a starting capital of one billion CFA francs, the FAFCI has today a capital of 25 billion CFA francs. And thanks to the return on investment, a total of 71 billion 700 million CFA francs have been used to date to finance the projects of other women. According to the First Lady this program is a success. “These positive results were obtained thanks to those who have been able to repay the loans they receive. This strictness has allowed us to record an excellent national repayment rate of 98% of the loans granted. The moving testimonies collected from the beneficiaries reinforce our belief that FAFCI truly contributes to the development of women and the well-being of their families. And I am very happy about it”, said Mrs. Dominique Ouattara.

The benefits of Social Security Scheme for FAFCI Women

According to Mrs. Dominique Ouattara,  the signing of the partnership agreement is obviously a new step that the program has just taken to ensure the well-being of women. Also, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara was keen to point out the benefits for women of FAFCI. Indeed, according to the First Lady, for example, in case of maternity, a seller who contributes to the CNPS will be able to benefit from a leave and continue to receive during this period, the entirety of her declared income, as it is the case for workers. “Consequently, the social security will help fight poverty, but will also help women in case of pregnancy. Moreover, joining RSTI will not only strengthen the resilience of our women in the face social risks, but also their credibility with regard to banking and microfinance institutions,” said Ms. Dominique Ouattara. She concluded by inviting FAFCI beneficiaries to seize this opportunity offered to them.

Mr. Adama Kamara, Minister of Employment and Social Protection, thanked the First Lady for her personal commitment to the empowerment of women through FAFCI. For the Minister of Employment and Social Protection, today’s ceremony shows the commitment of the President of the Republic and the First Lady to enable the poor to benefit from social coverage. “Today, thanks to the social coverage, these women  can benefit from a retirement pension as well as benefits in case of accident, illness and paid maternity leave,” he said. Mr. Adama Kamara presented the progress made by the Government in terms of social protection, which are the Universal Health Coverage (CMU) and the Social Security Scheme for Self-employed Workers (RSTI).

Mr. Denis Charles Kouassi, General Manager of the CNPS, expressed the pride of his organization in being involved in this project which will improve the living conditions of women. For him, through the RSTI, the CNPS comes alongside the FAFCI, to offer a set of benefits consisting of daily allowances both in case of accidents, illness or maternity and a lifetime retirement pension, paid in the same way as private sector employees and civil servants.

Mr. Serge Dibi Pacôme, Project Manager at the CNPS, presented the RSTI. Mrs. N’Goran Do Viviane, spokesperson for the FAFCI beneficiaries, invited women to join RSTI for their social well-being.

It should be noted that RSTI consists of paying replacement income in case of temporary or permanent interruption of the professional activity of the self-employed worker.