Bobo-dioulasso: Three structures supported by the Ministry of Solidarity are contributing to the empowerment of women and vulnerable people. Men and women from the media conducted an immersion in three private structures supported by the Ministry in charge of Solidarity on Wednesday in Bobo-Dioulasso, in order to learn about the initiatives developed for the economic empowerment of internally displaced women, women from host communities, and other vulnerable people.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Burkinabe Association for the Promotion of the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABPAM), located in sector 22, and the Union of Fighting Women, in sector 21 of the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, received journalists in their premises on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, on the occasion of an immersion initiated by the Ministry of Family and Solidarity. These two private, civil society organizations primarily serve women, girls, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable individuals. They prioritize entrepreneurship training to empower their beneficiaries and enable them to thrive in society.
Lamine Hi©, president of ABPAM/Esp©rance de Bobo-Dioulasso, noted that the association, created in 1989 and recognized in 1994, currently hosts 85 students on its site. He specified that his structure was supported by the department in charge of Family and Solidarity with food and learning materials for various trades related to women's entrepreneurship. Mr. Hi© also highlighted the collaboration between his structure and the supervisory ministry through the regional and provincial directorates for the proper functioning of ABPAM. The director of the association's School for Blind Youth (EJA), Mariame Bakouan/Sangla, assured that preparatory and rehabilitation classes allow students to acquire academic knowledge, following students from 6th grade through to university.
Solange Traor©/Som©, president of the Union of Fighting Women of Bobo-Dioulasso, revealed that her organization has 147 members, including 60 internally displaced women and students. Her organization trains women in weaving, sewing, dyeing, soap making, and the production of koko dunda. Ms. Traor© recalled that her union was equipped with work equipment by the Ministry in charge of Solidarity for the benefit of vulnerable women and emphasized the organization's objective of helping girls in difficulty. She appealed for more support from people of goodwill and the government for the well-being of their members.
Anne Togo, a member of the union involved in making koko dunda, expressed gratitude for the State's support of the center, which contributes to their development, allowing her to meet her daily needs.
The Colma Solidarity Court, located in sector 11 of Bobo-Dioulasso, is a social center that welcomes and supports vulnerable people facing social difficulties. Alexis Yazouma Doh, the provincial director of Family and Solidarity of Houet, stated that the court receives vulnerable people without a fixed address as well as those who are broken off from family ties, currently housing 118 residents consisting of 49 women, 33 men, and the rest are children. Bernard Kabr©, the head of the Colma Solidarity Court, explained that the residents learn, among other things, sewing and other income-generating activities, commending his supervisory department for its unwavering support in ensuring the smooth operation of the shelter.