Gourcy: The first edition of the "Pag-La-Touma" cultural festival was held from March 27 to 29, 2026, in Gourcy, bringing together administrative, customary, and population authorities to promote female leadership and strengthen social cohesion.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the festival, organized by the Association for Women and Development (AFD), aimed to enhance the role of women in community resilience and support vulnerable groups, particularly internally displaced women and widows of combatant forces. The event was themed "Promoting female leadership and strengthening social cohesion for sustainable development."

The opening ceremony was led by the High Commissioner of Zondoma Province, Aboubacar Sidiki Nabe, who praised the organizers for their initiative to promote women. He emphasized the importance of women's commitment to strengthening social cohesion and community spirit in the province. The High Commissioner also encouraged making the festival an annual event for solidarity, community mobilization, and the promotion of women's leadership.

Rasmata Ouedraogo, the president of the Association, highlighted the festival's role in providing a platform for women involved in local development to express themselves and gain recognition. She stated that the festival aimed to create a space for recognizing strong women and promoting solidarity and peace within communities.

The festival featured several activities, including a women's cycling race with around forty participants, a sanitation operation, and the donation of hygiene equipment to the Medical Center with a surgical unit in Gourcy. Additionally, food donations consisting of 5 tons of rice were provided for the benefit of internally displaced women and widows of the security forces.

The Association of Women for Development, established in 2020, is dedicated to promoting the economic empowerment of women in Zondoma through capacity-building initiatives and support for income-generating activities.