A month-long training of women on hand weaving and textile design ended recently in Berending, Lower Niumi in the North Bank Region.
The women programme coordinator at the Department of Community Development (DCD), speaking at the event, stressed the need for women to acquire life skills to enhance effective participation in the country’s productive economy and poverty reduction.
Sarjo Camara noted that building the capacity of women on weaving would obviously increase their income and mainstream it into income-generation activity.
Madam Camara said the DCD has resolved to promoting life skills development and empowerment of women.
She used the moment to call on beneficiary women to fully optimize the skills and create market outlets for the products.
The programme coordinator also lauded Social Development Fund (SDF) for funding the month-long training and empowering women in skills acquisition.
Fatou Sonko, the Lady Councillor of Lower Niumi, thanked the Department of Community Development for the foresight in complementing the efforts of the Women Bureau in women empowerment.
She praised the women of Berending for their support and cooperation in promoting skills development.
The Lady Councillor also tasked women to work towards sustaining income generation programmes and unity among themselves.
She praised Berending Multipurpose Centre for being a centre of attraction for other development projects, saying the management was able to sustain ongoing projects.
Sambou Sonko, Essau Ward Councillor, echoed similar sentiments and called on the beneficiaries to be proactive in the upkeep of skill transfers to improve lives and livelihood.
Moses Olu Johnny, lead trainer and expert in textile, thanked women for their high degree of participation and commitment.
He noted that weaving would help to revive skills and competition in textile design.
The trainer assured of his support to strengthening the capacity of women on wide range of skills.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Hawa Camara and Bariatou Sonko of Berending applauded the Department of Community Development and the SDF for their support, saying weaving has increased their skills.
They also pledged their commitment and support to sustaining the programme as well as to bringing about meaningful development.
