Bobo-dioulasso: The NGO Empow’Her organized a networking workshop at the Maison de la Culture in Bobo-Dioulasso, highlighting the achievements and progress of the BLOOM project, which focuses on the social and economic empowerment of vulnerable and internally displaced women in Bobo-Dioulasso and Léo. During the event, the official delivery of equipment to the project’s beneficiaries marked a significant milestone.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the ceremony witnessed the presence of administrative, customary, and religious authorities, alongside technical and financial partners and project beneficiaries. The representative of the Governor of the Hauts-Bassins region commended the transformative impact of the project, noting its positive influence on women’s empowerment since its inception in 2021.
Ms. OUAVÉ/ZONGO Karine, the country representative and BLOOM project manager, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders and volunteers who contributed to the program’s success. She emphasized Empow’Her’s
commitment to breaking gender barriers and promoting female leadership through entrepreneurship. The project aims to provide technical training to internally displaced and vulnerable women in various crafts, facilitating professional integration and income generation. Thirty beneficiaries received training in eight different trades.
During the workshop, beneficiaries demonstrated their skills in trades such as sewing, tiling, hairdressing, building electricity, carpentry, driving, welding, two-wheeler mechanics, and soap making. Artistic performances, including theater, song, and dance, were also presented, conveying messages on the fight against gender inequalities.
At the conclusion of the workshop, professional equipment was provided to beneficiaries, aiding their economic empowerment. The governor’s representative encouraged them to utilize this equipment effectively to benefit their communities. Salimata TIAMA, a beneficiary trained in welding, expressed her appreciation for the opportunities provided
by the BLOOM project, which enabled her to start her own business.
Implemented in Burkina Faso since 2021, the BLOOM project is a 24-month program conducted in Bobo-Dioulasso and Léo. It encompasses phases of personal development and leadership, vocational training, and support for employment or entrepreneurship, with integrated maternal and psychological support systems.