Dakar, Jan 15 (AGCNewsNet) – On January 7, 2025, the ECOWAS Commission’s Department of Human Development and Social Affairs (HDSA), through the ECOW Gender Development Center (EGDC), held a consultation meeting in Dakar to discuss the establishment of a Hygienic Napkin and Nappy Manufacturing Unit in Senegal.

The meeting, hosted at the Ministry of the Family and Solidarity, was led by ECOWAS Commissioner for HDSA, Pr. Fatou Sow Sarr, and attended by key officials, including the Director of the EGDC and other staff from the ECOWAS Commission. The ECOWAS delegation was warmly received by Honourable Madame Maimouna Dieye, the Minister for Family and Solidarity of Senegal, who praised the ongoing collaboration with ECOWAS in the areas of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

During the meeting, the Minister reaffirmed Senegal’s commitment to advancing the welfare of women and girls, emphasizing the importance of this project in ensuring better access to sanitary products for schoolgirls and women suffering from obstetric fistula, as well as nappies for the elderly.

Commissioner Sarr presented her department’s new initiative to create a global ecosystem that will enhance ECOWAS programs aimed at gender equality. The key project discussed involves building a manufacturing unit for sanitary napkins and nappies, aimed at improving the lives of women and girls while fostering local entrepreneurship.

Following the discussions, a technical meeting was held to outline the project's framework, identify priorities, and ensure its success. The Ministry for the Family and Solidarity of Senegal expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its importance for the well-being of women and girls in the country.

Stay connected with AGC NewsNet for the latest news from Africa.