In order to support the government's efforts to achieve its commitments made in November 2019 at the International Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi, the United Nations Population Fund has handed over a large batch of equipment to the Benz-vi vocational training center for girls and young people with disabilities.

The handover ceremony took place on April 6, 2022 at the Benz-vi vocational training center for girls, in the presence of Her Excellency Margueritte Ramadan, Minister of Gender Promotion, Women's Protection, Family and Children, Dr. Koudaogo Ouedraogo, UNFPA Resident Representative, heads of UN agencies and local authorities of the 5th district of the city of Bangui.

It is a batch of materials divided in two and including hotel and sewing materials for the vocational training center for young girls in Benz-vi, and hairdressing and sewing materials for young people with disabilities.

"It is with a feeling of satisfaction that I preside over this ceremony of handing over the materials. I would like to thank UNFPA for this donation which is in line with the national strategy for the socio-economic advancement of women and girls," said Ms. Margueritte Ramadan, Minister of Gender Promotion, Women's Protection, Family and Children.

For Dr. Koudaogo Ouedraogo, UNFPA Resident Representative, this donation will allow these young people to fully realize their potential.

"Young girls and young people with disabilities are an obvious target group for UNFPA. They are in the line of fire of the United Nations which works to leave no one behind. It goes without saying that the seriousness observed in the governance of this institution has reinforced our decision to make this donation today. We are happy to work towards the empowerment of these young people," he said.

The occasion allowed the presentation of certificates of completion to young people with disabilities, in this case hearing impairment, beneficiaries of a series of training funded by UNFPA, including sewing, hairdressing, masonry, carpentry and electricity building.

Abiba Yakoli Saal, one of the beneficiaries trained in sewing expresses her gratitude to UNFPA.

"On behalf of all my deaf friends who have been trained, I thank UNFPA for its constant support for the past two years. I plead on behalf of my peers for the creation of a high school for deaf people, because our schooling stops at the end of the primary cycle" she said.

This ceremony of handing over of materials of a total cost of thirty thousand American dollars, was enriched by a sketch of the theatrical group the parrots on the empowerment of the young people.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)