Date: 2017-10-18 11:12:32 ID: 1734
Abidjan, 17 October 2017 – The Deputy Director General of WAHO, Dr Laurent ASSOGBA, this Tuesday 17 October 2017 at Heden Golf Hotel, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, participated in the preparatory meeting for the launch of the regional campaign for social and behaviour change, as part of the SWEDD project.
This session was organised as a preparatory meeting for the launch of the regional campaign on Communication for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC) with a view to achieving women’s empowerment and demographic dividend. The aim is to enable member countries to present the results and lessons learned from the launch at the national level; validate the roadmap for CSBC for 2018 and 2019 and revise the programme and deliverables for the official launch.
The Minister for Planning and Development of Côte d’Ivoire presided the opening ceremony in the presence of the Secretary of State in charge of the Economy, Planning and Development of Chad, representing the Chairman of the Regional Steering Committee of the SWEDD project, Mr Sing-Yabé Barnabas; the Regional Director of UNFPA for West and Central Africa, Mr Mabingue Ngom; the Deputy Director General of WAHO, Dr Laurent Assogba; and the World Bank representative, Mr Baly Ouattara.
Also participating in the meeting were the Minister of public health of Niger, Dr Idi Iliassou Mainassara; the Minister for population of Niger, Dr Kaffa Rakiatou Christelle Jackou; the Minister for Territorial Development and Population of Mali, M. Adama Tiémoko Diarra; the SWEDD project Coordinators; members of the Regional Steering Committee of the SWEDD project as well as technical and financial partners.
The following personalities successively took the floor during the opening ceremony: 
The Secretary of State for the Economy, Planning and Development of Chad, representing the Chairman of the Regional Steering Committee of the SWEDD project, M. Sing-Yabé Barnabas; The Deputy Director General of WAHO, Dr Laurent Assogba; The Regional Director of UNFPA, Mr. Mabingue Ngom; The World Bank representative, M. Baly Ouattara; The Minister for Planning and Development of Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs Kaba Nialé;
In his speech, the DDG of WAHO, Dr Laurent Assogba, noted the important role UNFPA is playing towards the attainment of the objectives of the SWEDD project. He insisted on the necessity to better inform the population and consolidate their level of knowledge in order to foster and sustain their involvement in the activities and to get them to adopt healthy behaviours.
On his part, the Regional Director of UNFPA, Mr. Mabingue Ngom, reiterated the commitment of UNFPA to work together with governments to control the challenges relating to the galloping population size. He also noted the need to empower women and invest in the youth in order to take advantage of the demographic dividend.
On his part, the Officer from the World Bank, Mr Baly Ouattara, noted with satisfaction the inter-country and inter-ministerial collaboration, which remains key to the success of women’s and youth empowerment.
The Minister for Planning and Development of Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs Kaba Nialé, in her opening speech indicated that demographic challenge should be one of the priorities for the development of the sub-region.
Countries later exchanged their experiences and achievements during the national campaigns on Communication for Social and Behavioural Change.
The Regional Steering Committee noted with a satisfaction that the national campaigns were launched in all the countries with inclusive teams (administrative authorities, political leaders, parliamentarians, religious leaders, youth and women’s associations, association of women lawyers, health workers, the media, etc.).
The Regional Steering Committee recommended that innovative and optimal activities should be identified in all countries through the development of Annual Work Plans on Communication for Social and Behaviour Change in order to amplify the impact.
The Regional Steering Committee also adopted the roadmap on Communication for Social and Behavioural Change.
