Female resilience in Niger: an initial assessment of PARFAO
Community resilience, especially that of women in rural settings, is a major concern at present, in the face of increasing socio-economic and environmental challenges. To address this situation, the Peasant Platform of Niger (PFPN), in collaboration with the Network of Farmers’ Organizations and Agricultural Producers in West Africa (ROPPA) and with the financial support of the Austrian Cooperation, organized a self-assessment workshop of the Program to Support the Resilience of Women in West Africa (PARFAO), from August 16 to 17, 2023, at PFPN’s headquarters. The event gathered around thirty participants mainly from the Niamey and Tillabéri regions.
PARFAO is a program that, although operational in several countries such as Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Mali, and Senegal, focuses on Niger. It aims to enhance the resilience and autonomy of women engaged in agriculture and other related activities. In Niger, the program is implemented in the Niamey, Tillabéri, and Dosso regions, specifically targeting female farmers and vulnerable women within family farms.
The objective of the workshop was to review initial data collected from program beneficiaries. The areas of assessment included the project’s relevance, its effectiveness, its achievements, and its limitations. The workshop also aimed to identify necessary measures to ensure the project’s sustainability and replicability, as well as initiate a dialogue with public authorities on the issue of female resilience.
During the workshop, several topics were discussed, including the overall perception of beneficiaries on the project, the increase in income, market access for women, conditions for sustainability, and future prospects. These discussions not only provided a deeper understanding of the issues but also led to concrete proposals for optimizing the impact of PARFAO on Nigerien populations.
It is important to underline that PARFAO is a crucial initiative that addresses a fundamental issue in a region with immense needs. By seeking to strengthen women’s resilience, it contributes to building stronger and more sustainable communities. The findings from this self-assessment workshop, held from August 16 to 17, 2023, are therefore of vital importance for adjusting the program’s strategies and maximizing its impact.
As a reminder, PARFAO is an initiative of ROPPA, funded by the Austrian Cooperation, and implemented in five countries: Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. The program operates in three regions of Niger: Niamey, Tillabéri, and Dosso.
In conclusion, the Program to Support the Resilience of Women in West Africa (PARFAO) represents a vital intervention in the Nigerien context. This self-assessment workshop serves as a key step in evaluating the program’s success to date and in identifying opportunities for improvement and growth. It also emphasizes the importance of the active participation of beneficiaries and local partners in the evaluation process, thus ensuring a more inclusive and effective approach.
Fatimata KONE
Communication and Knowledge Management Officer
ROPPA