The Ivorian Network of Professional Women in Water and Sanitation has revealed its ambitions for its members. This was on the occasion of an official ceremony at the headquarters of the African Water Association on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Mrs. Roselyne Elogne, General Secretary of the Executive Board of the network, presented the schedule of the network’s activities for the 2016-2017 period In the presence of the Executive Director of AfWA, USHER Sylvain, and Olivier Gosso, President of the Scientific and Technical Council.

For the next 4 months, the Professional Women in Cote d’Ivoire’s Water and Sanitation intend to work on extending the roots of their network. This requires the introduction of this group to the various Managing Directors of the organizations that are members of the African Water Association as well as to the line ministries. A capacity building session for women on project set-up techniques is expected by year's end and will close the 2016 activities.

In the first half of 2017, the women of RIFPEA intend to enhance their abilities and skills in leadership and advocacy. They also want, during that period, to conduct awareness campaigns to promote hygiene in households and the economical management of water. This is an activity that will be jointly carried out with the National Committee of the Young Professionals in Water. The remaining part of 2017 and the following year will be spent on exchange sessions on various topics relating to the WASH sector. There will also be other activities on the ground.

The President of the Scientific and Technical Council, Olivier Gosso, welcomed the establishment of the Ivorian Network of Professional Women in Water and Sanitation, “which reflects the pole position of our country in this dynamic, especially as Cote d’Ivoire is the seat of AfWA.” For his part, the Executive Director of the African Water Association, Sylvain USHER, expressed his hope that this initiative will achieve an African dimension for this network.