In Tadjourah, Djibouti, women from the Groupements d'entraide par affinités (GEA) recently gathered at the Gadileh Hotel to celebrate their solidarity and pay tribute to Omar Houssein Omar, the Minister of Decentralization and former President of the Regional Council. The event recognized his support for their economic initiatives, including providing subsidies and fiscal accompaniment to help them grow their small businesses. This support has been crucial in empowering the women financially.
The ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including the Prefect of Tadjourah, Mohamed Houmed Abass, the President of the Regional Council, Idriss Ambassa Mohamed, and the Director General of the ADDS, Mahdi Mohamed Djama. The women expressed their gratitude to Minister Omar Houssein Omar for his commitment to their initiatives, and he reaffirmed his willingness to continue and strengthen this support. He announced plans to allocate a larger budget for the GEA in 2027.
Minister Omar Houssein Omar also discussed potential new projects, including urban agriculture initiatives in collaboration with the women's groups to diversify their income-generating activities. Another initiative involves entrusting women with the management of a future waste management structure, which could provide them with new economic opportunities while increasing their participation in local service management.
The event also served as a platform for sharing experiences and best practices among the women from different regions of Djibouti. They discussed their challenges and successes, and the importance of their groups in promoting social autonomy and progress. The GEA's role extends beyond economic empowerment, with members actively participating in health campaigns and promoting vaccination and nutrition.
The Director General of the Regional Hospital, Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Dimbio, highlighted the GEA's participation in health campaigns, particularly in the fight against malnutrition and promotion of vaccination. The women's groups have been instrumental in disseminating prevention messages and supporting public health programs. Their proximity to families makes them valuable relays for health information.
The inclusive nature of the GEA was also emphasized, with members from different backgrounds, including women with disabilities, participating fully in the group's activities. The Agency for Disabled Persons (ANPH) has supported the integration of women with disabilities into the GEA, promoting their economic autonomy and social inclusion.
The ADDS has been instrumental in supporting the GEA, providing a solidarity-based savings and credit mechanism. In Tadjourah, 18 GEA groups have been created, with 225 trained women. Their collective savings stand at 7,923,550 FDJ, and the ADDS has provided 31,950,000 FDJ in financial support. The total volume of credits granted to members is 123,735,000 FDJ, through 738 operations.
Key points
- The GEA groups in Tadjourah have made significant progress in empowering women financially and promoting social inclusion.
- The groups have expanded their activities beyond economic empowerment, participating in health campaigns and promoting social autonomy.
- The ADDS and government officials have pledged continued support for the GEA groups, with plans for new initiatives and increased funding.
