DAY 10: WOMEN'S RIGHTS

Today we met with three organizations that are concerned with women's rights. CCOFT, WiLDAF, and CF2D.

Each of the organizations was created to address different women's rights issues, and are all housed in the same building. They cover broad concerns such as women's education, women's rights, violence against women, female circumcision, and legal aid.

All of the women we met with were extremely generous with their time. They explained that once our project is underway, they can visit the village to help the women should they need ID cards, or with licenses to sell the goods they make. They will also review any social problems that need addressing and offer assistance where required. There is a legal aid office in Tsevie, which is not too far from the village. It is good to know that the women of Dedeke will have a resource close at hand. Any support in this country, is like gold, and is crucial to the success of a project like ours.

Once again Eleonore d'Almeida has been so helpful in setting up the meetings and stepping in as interperator now that Emma is back in London. We really are lucky to have met her and have her at our disposal.

We meet this evening with the Lome chapter of the Togolese Soroptimist Organization. I hope to get contacts from them that are based in the States. They are a well respected, international organization. It would be wonderful to have them helping us fullfill our mission here.