The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Niger, and in cooperation with the General Directorate of Literacy and Non-Formal Education and the Institute of Training in Literacy and Non-Formal Education, launched the pilot project “Empowering women in literacy centers in Niamey region,” which aims to contribute to the sustainability of the achievements of newly literate girls and women, through courses of support in reading and training on income-generating activities for the benefit of fifty beneficiaries in two literacy centers in Niamey region.

The project, launched on Tuesday (November 8, 2022), is part of the programmes of the five-year plan for socio-economic development for 2022-2026 of Niger’s government, where the beneficiaries will receive reading courses during three months, training in sewing and embroidery, and practical workshops on income-generating activities management.

Mr. Aziz Al-Hajir, Programmes Manager at the Education Sector, represented ICESCO in the launch of this project. He delivered a speech in which he highlighted the importance of the project and its socio-economic impact.

The launch ceremony of the pilot project saw the presence of Dr. Ibrahim Natatou, Minister of National Education of the Republic of Niger, several officials and inspectors of literacy and non-formal education, and Mr. Mohamedou Othman, Secretary-General of Niger’s National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO.

During his opening speech, Dr. Natatou expressed his happiness for holding this key event in Niamey, and the trust that ICESCO had placed in him to implement this project, which aims to improve the incomes of newly literate girls and women, and combat unemployment.