Mali/WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT: UNMISSA supports "Tedemte" women in Tessalit to take their destiny into their own hands
On June 6, 2022, the women's association "Tedemte" (the drop in Tamasheq) from the village of Amachach (Tessalit circle) received the keys to their new market garden area, which was built and equipped by the UNMIS. This work will enable them to improve the living conditions of their families and the inhabitants of the village.
Launched in February 2022, this 25 million CFA francs quick-impact project is an initiative sponsored by the Chadian contingent of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as part of its civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) activities.
"Thanks to this perimeter, which is fully fenced and equipped with a well with a 10 m3 tank, we should be able to strengthen our market gardening activities in order to significantly improve the quality of our food.Thanks to this fully fenced-in area with a well equipped with a 10 m3 reservoir, we should be able to strengthen our market gardening activitiesin order to significantly improve the living conditions of the village's inhabitants," said the president of this association of 26 women, Mrs. Rahmoutou Diallo, 37 years old and mother of two children. She added, "With the training on market gardening techniques and the management of Income Generating Activities (IGA), we have strengthened our knowledge in this area. Since the creation of our association, the members contribute the sum of 1,500 CFA francs each month. This kitty allows women to carry out commercial activities and repay the money borrowed," she elaborated to illustrate the determination and resilience of Tedemte members.
"This initiative is innovative for us, the inhabitants of Amachach, because since its conception, the beneficiaries have been put first. This project has resulted in a market garden for women and a fountain that gives access to drinking water to all the inhabitants of the locality," said Boubacar Ag Hasni, a resident.
The economic activities of the commune of Tessalit are mainly livestock and trade. The local population has added market gardening to these activities because of the abundance of groundwater in the area. While livestock raising and trade are activities dominated by men, women play a significant role in the market gardening sector. "Women who want to practice this activity often do not receive all the necessary support since the crisis broke out in 2012. The Minusma, through its various components in Kidal, has been involved for several years in efforts to reduce inequalities and revive the local economy with a particular focus on the rural economy.We hope that in a few weeks time, we will be able to see the results of the project," said Aicha Belco Maïga, president of the NGO EFFAD, which implemented the project.
"We hope that in a few weeks, these women will be able to produce fresh vegetables to meet the needs of a well-presented clientele in the village and in the region.We hope that in a few weeks, these women will be able to produce fresh vegetables to meet the needs of a clientele that is well representedin the village and in the camp housing the Malian Defense and Security Forces and the Blue Helmets," said El Hadji Ibrahima Boly Diène, head of the Minusma regional office in Kidal. He went on to say that the UN Mission will prioritize initiatives that will enable women to promote and diversify their sources of income, but also to have access to drinking water in all seasons.
"This is what concretizes our commitment to accompany the Malian populations", concluded El Hadji Ibrahima Boly Diène; very serene and assured that the women of the association "Tedemte" are going to make the most of this investment for their empowerment and for local development.
Source: maliactu.net
