The Gender Equality Center Has Emerged.
In the heights of Atakpamé, the “city of seven hills,” on the verdant slope of Oké Èkpa hill, a powerful symbol of resilience and hope now stands. The women’s promotion center of Ogou 1 is more than just a building—it is a declaration of the will to combat the structural obstacles that impede the flourishing of Togolese women.
During its inauguration, Yawa Kouigan, Minister of Communication, Media, and Culture, lifted the veil on the genesis of this project: “The center was born from a simple yet concerning observation. Despite the progress made, numerous women continue to face structural obstacles that hinder their full development.”
A Project Carrying Social Transformation
For the minister and mayor of the commune, this center is “a catalyst for social transformation,” far more than a simple refuge. “It will not only welcome, comfort, and assist women and girls who are victims of violence, but also serve as a framework for exchange and education for the entire population about women’s rights.”
The Project: An Initiative of the Togolese Municipalities Federation
Inscribed in the “Project for Promoting Gender Equality in Communes,” carried by the Togolese Municipalities Federation (FCT), this center is the fruit of a strategic collaboration. Funded by the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), with the support of the European Union, it represents an innovative approach to community development.
This center embodies a holistic approach to female development. With its training rooms, administrative block, and reception area, it offers more than just shelter: a complete ecosystem of personal and professional growth.
A Model Destined to Spread
The initiative does not stop at the borders of Ogou 1. The project plans to extend this model to four other communes: Tchaoudjo 1, Kozah 1, Zio 1, and Tone 1. A strategy that transforms a local project into a national movement for equality.
A Commitment Taking Shape
Behind this center lies the political will of Togo to make gender equality a reality. Recent legal provisions – the Code of Persons and Family, the Child Code – testify to this determination.
The women’s promotion center of Ogou 1 is more than a building. It is a beacon, a message of hope and transformation. A reminder that change begins by giving women the means to shape their own destiny.