Western Bahr el Ghazal State Caretaker Governor Sharif Daniel Sharif has laid the foundation stone for a hall for the state’s Women’s Union in the state capital, Wau, as part of efforts to improve facilities for women’s activities.
The Mama Mary Ayen Mayardit Hall is expected to provide permanent premises for the union to hold meetings, conduct training programmes and organise initiatives aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Women’s Union Chairperson Regina Edward Dimo welcomed the project, saying it would end the need for the organisation to rent venues for its activities.
“Today is a historic event for women in Western Bahr el Ghazal State. This building will improve women’s activities and ensure that they no longer have to rent venues,” Dimo said during the foundation-laying ceremony on Monday.
She said the facility would also provide space for training, development programmes and discussions on challenges affecting women in the state.
State caretaker Minister of Health Joseph Moses Ugudo urged the union to take responsibility for the project and ensure the facility is protected and maintained.
Ugudo said the governor had previously supported the union by providing electricity, water and internet connectivity at its premises.
“This is not the first support the governor has provided to women in the state. He has ensured that electricity and water are available at the Women’s Union premises, where these services were previously lacking,” Ugudo said.
Sharif said his administration had identified inadequate facilities as a major challenge facing the union during a recent visit, prompting the decision to construct the hall.
“We realised that women needed a hall to support their activities. That is why we have come to address these challenges,” he said.
The governor said the project is also intended to recognise women’s contributions to the country, particularly those of First Lady Mama Mary Ayen Mayardit.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving conditions for women and expanding their participation in governance, peacebuilding and development.
Sharif called on development partners and community members to support the completion of the facility.
Construction is expected to begin immediately and will be supervised by the State Ministry of Physical Infrastructure in collaboration with the Women’s Union.
and then