WASO committee seek President’s support for project initiatives |09 March 2018

A group of women who run the association Women in Action and Solidarity (WASO) met President Danny Faure at State House yesterday to share with him their work and seek his support for their different project initiatives.

Present during the meeting was the Minister for Family Affairs Jeanne Simeon.

Talking to the press after their meeting, the chairperson of WASO, Rose Mary Elizabeth, said the discussion with the head of State centred on what WASO can do more to help society and how it can strengthen its working collaboration with the Ministry of Family Affairs.

“We brought to the attention of the President all the different issues and social ills that are impacting heavily and negatively on the social fabric of our families and society; we discussed different propositions and ideas we have to try and help,” Ms Elizabeth said.

Among the different propositions they put forward are: have a regular health awareness and education programme in the media; that private businesses consider reserving space for women entrepreneurs in particular the street vendors and local artisans when they build commercial facilities for rent; that a vocational school for pupils with academic difficulties is introduced to ensure we have trained local labour force in non-academic fields.

“We also spoke at length on those aspects relating to the upbringing of children. The Ministry of Education alone cannot succeed in giving a good education to our children if the latter do not have a good start from a strong family foundation. Good and strong parental guidance is key and parents need to be good role models for their children. We explored the different possibilities through which WASO can bring its contributions to reinforce family values,” Ms Elisabeth pointed out.

On behalf of the WASO executive committee, Ms Elizabeth thanked President Faure for receiving them on Women’s Day which highlight the importance he attaches to women and the role they are playing in their families, in society to advance women empowerment and emancipation.

Ms Elizabeth has called on all women to relook at their roles as women and mothers.

She expressed pride in the great strides that Seychellois women have made, saluting the fact that today there are five women in the Cabinet of Ministers occupying portfolios that traditionally have been occupied by men like Agriculture and Fisheries for instance. 

Ms Elizabeth described their discussion with President Faure as frank, rich, fruitful and encouraging.

“We have assured President Faure that we will soon organise to meet the Minister for Family Affairs to discuss an action plan for us to strengthen our working collaboration,” she said.

Following previous informal talks she has had in the past with President Faure, Ms Elizabeth said she brought to his attention the fact that over 85% of the women who are members of WASO are computer illiterate, something considered unacceptable in this present day and age.

She expressed her joy and gratitude that the President has presented them with a gift of four computers on Women’s Day.

“We will immediately start giving our members computer lessons. It is important that women and mothers especially are computer literate in order to know the different programmes so they can help their children at home with their lessons, be knowledgeable when they purchase these gadgets for their children as well as for their own empowerment,” Ms Elizabeth pointed out.

Yesterday afternoon WASO in collaboration with Ceps (Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles) organised a forum to further educate women on the importance of being in control of their lives and those of their family members in order to succeed in education, career development and life in general.

“In order to do this successfully women need to be united, to work together and be committed in what they do,” Ms Elizabeth said.

The forum was held under the theme ‘Fanm Annou Ini pour Plis Progre’.

“Women should start to venture more in and take jobs in fields that I believe really need our contributions like the Blue economy sector,” Ms Elizabeth noted.

But she pointed out that they need the skills, the push and encouragement.

During the forum the women, students and other guests present heard different presentations, learned of different initiatives from business owners and other key personalities who are doing well in their business ventures and came to share and encourage others to come forward and do something to help their country and for their own development.