OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, June 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced new funding to promote the integration of Burkinabè women into the local rice market by professionalizing women’s rice parboilers’ organizations.
Rice parboiling refers to a processing technique that increases the value of rice in the local market. By supporting women rice parboilers’ organizations in five regions of Burkina Faso, Canada is contributing to create thousands of jobs for vulnerable women, and increase the income of thousands of families.
“It is essential to help women better prepare to participate in the economy as workers, entrepreneurs, and leaders so that they can take charge of their own economic futures”, said Minister Fast. “Not only does it help women improve their own living conditions, but it also can help whole communities rise out of poverty.”
Today’s announcement further demonstrates Canada’s continued support for women entrepreneurs. It is part of Canada’s international development priority to stimulate sustainable economic growth and advance gender equality. It is also helping to achieve some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) such as MDG1 to reduce poverty and MDG3 to empower women.
Quick Facts
• Women’s economic empowerment is fundamental to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, and the achievement of gender equality.
• Canada recognizes that women play a central role as income earners in lifting themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty.
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