International Day of Rural Women

Today is a special day! On October 15th we recognize our hardworking sisters around the globe who live in rural settings, for their dedication to ensuring sustainable communities and improving rural livelihoods.

These women work extremely hard to provide a better future for their families and neighborhoods. They are at the forefront of many agricultural and climate challenges, however, they show great resiliency when tackling these problems.

In Foundiougne, we celebrated with the “Foire Locale des Produits Agricoles” (Local Fair of Agricultural Products). Women from the surrounding villages gathered by the river to participate in panels and expositions about climate change resilience. The fair was also a time for the women to sell agricultural products which were created in partnership with several local development organizations. The office I work with (PROSAF) had a booth at the event selling cassava, okra, and peppers grown at our project garden.

Here are some photos I took of the event! Let’s celebrate together the accomplishments of these women and walk in solidarity with other rural women around the globe!

Sign for the "Local Fair of Agricultural Products". This year's theme is women in agriculture and their resiliency against climate change. My office (PROSAF) participated along with several other local development organizations.

Preparing to welcome the community to the fair!

The PROSAF and APIL booths selling their products. In the foreground are dried shrimp and fish.

APIL is a organization that works in the surrounding villages. Their goal is to protect and preserve the mangroves in the Saloum Delta. These mangroves are essential to the local ecosystem and combating climate change. The women who work on this project are selling seafood sustainably collected from these sites.

Myself and another women's organization participating in the fair. This table sold a potato flour and corn among other products.

Some of the produce cultivated by my office's project garden: cassava, okra, eggplant, and peppers.

The PROSAF project garden in Mbassis. Here 50 women help cultivate a variety of agriculture products aimed at providing food security in the community. Pictured here are growing cassava plants.

Women gathered to hear a panel talking about new techniques in agriculture to anticipate and combat climate change.

Bargaining for some locally made soap!

As always, be kind to yourself and be kind to others! Peace:)