On the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8 March, the Belgian Development Cooperation organisations – the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation, Enabel and the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO) – joined forces to honour inspiring and resilient women who have made gender equality their priority.

Time to pick up the pace

While the world is facing unprecedented social, environmental and geopolitical crises, it is more than ever important to emphasise that it is crucial to invest in women. To build fair and sustainable economies. To preserve the environment and its threatened ecosystems. To foster peace and build future-proof resilient communities.

However, underfunding of gender equality measures is a major obstacle to achieving gender equality by 2030, with an alarming annual shortfall of USD 360 billion in spending dedicated to this objective. By investing in women, we are investing in stronger, more resilient and prosperous communities.
 

Women take the floor

In Morocco’s oases, the PAGIE project supports the creation and development of women’s cooperatives in the date-growing sector. Women have acquired a key role in the oases of south-east Morocco trough literacy courses, awareness-raising workshops and activities designed to boost the competitiveness of their cooperatives.
Latifa Younous, a project staff member, shared her experience and the positive changes in the role of women that she has witnessed with Enabel’s Managing director Jean Van Wetter.

 
  In Kinshasa, DR Congo, Tisya Mukuna is a leading figure in the coffee industry. She created her own coffee brand, La Kinoise, in 2018. Although the business is doing well today, it has not always been a smooth ride. Despite the many obstacles she faces, she is determined to do everything she can to leave a mark in a sector where men are still largely over-represented. She takes the opportunity to inspire women, wherever they are, to do the same.

The chairwoman of BIO’s Board of Directors, Géraldine Georges, handed the microphone to the queen of Kinshasa coffee so that she could make her ambitions heard… loud and clear.

 
  Feminist organisations play a crucial role in the fight for gender equality and social justice. By supporting them, we strengthen their ability to influence policy, mobilise resources and create lasting change at local and global level.

Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe has been working for over thirty years to promote the socio-economic development of women and gender equality in Rwandan society. The Director-General for Development Cooperation, Heidy Rombouts, met its Deputy Director, Marie Médiatrice Umubyeyi.

The day has come to an end and with it the celebrations dedicated to women – but there is still much to be done. Let us continue to highlight women’s achievements, while working together on dismantling patriarchal structures. Together, let us commit to defending women’s rights, breaking down stereotypes and promoting a future where every woman and girl can achieve her full potential.