The Initiatives Group For Social Progress, Senegal

By

Alpha Jallow

A local Association in Senegal is empowering women groups in rural areas on sustainable Agriculture, Microfinance and land reforms

The Initiatives Group for Social Progress; known as GIPS/WAR is being hailed for promoting women farmers across the country on new techniques of agriculture in a bid to increase production and augment their annual incomes.

During a recent retreat in Thiauone Serere in the western part of Senegal, the association appealed to community and district leaders in the region to help women farmers to have access to arable land.

Over the past years GIPS/WAR has mainly been involved in the management of projects and programs that promote self sustainable development taking into account preservation of the environment and the financial autonomy of its members.

The sectors covered in the fight against poverty and underdevelopment include: Organizational development and capacity building through coaching, education and the promotion of national language.

The Executive Secretary of GIPS/WAR Madame Julie Cisse hailed the commitment of women farmers to a sustainable Agriculture. She said her Association’s Agricultural component is aimed to improve and transform agricultural products. She further said her Association is also involve in the promotion of Micro gardening and family farms as an alternative to food security.

Another important intervention area for GIPS/WAR is Promoting Women Entrepreneurship and Women Empowerment Program. Environmental protection and the management of natural resources is also been promoted among women farmers. GIPS/WAR also have a very viable microfinance; with savings mobilization and credit distribution and contacts with financial institutions.

Alpha Jallow

Alpha is a freelance journalist from Dakar, Senegal, having worked for the BBC African Radio service, West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) and Radio France Internationale (RFI).