Birao, 7 March 2020. The women of Birao celebrated the International women’s day, amid the ongoing crisis. Coming from various associations, they participated in the march past, characterized by entertainment, speeches and refreshments, honouring the theme for this year: “I am generation equality; releasing women’s rights.’’
 
The outgoing Prefect of Vakaga, Leonard Mbele, flagged off the march past which started from the Civic center to MINUSCA Base, in presence of the Sudanese Consular General, Mahmoud Yahia Mahdi Abudahabala; Head of MINUSCA Office, Bessan VIKOU, Zambian Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Tembo, Sub-prefect Zachariah Ramadan, Imam Mustapha Younouss, among others.
 
Prefect Leonard Mbele said that this was a very important event in the history of Birao where ‘’women from different ethnic groups came together to celebrate the event as one, despite the crisis’’. He urged the women to take girl children to school, as they are the future leaders, according to the saying: “Educating a woman is educating the whole nation”. He further said women should embrace each other in addressing challenges regarding conflicts as the one and only way to bring peace and stability in Birao and the whole country.
 
Head of Office, Bessan Vikou, said that women have great values in society therefore, there is need to ensure that they send children to school as they are future leaders. He added that ‘’young girls have values to add to society and that once they are aged, they are the ones to take up their responsibilities’’. He also urged the women to use the opportunity to ‘’bring back peace in Birao through active participation in reconciliation and mediation processes by rendering guidance to men’’. However, Head of office advised the women not to think that they have been neglected but that they have a bigger role to play in the whole region.
 
The women representative Lieutenant Colonel Proada Ana-Patricia appreciated the fight for gender equality and how it has paid off by having more women leading, being responsible and accountable in decision-making processes within communities, societies, organizations and in the Government.
 
Later in the day, the Prefect of Vakaga expressed happiness and congratulated the Central African army (FACA) Commander, Major Jean Francis Degotte, and his men for their promotion for hard work during the colorful piping ceremony at their base. he Prefect urged the troops to continue working very hard, to be disciplined and professional, to protect the people and defend the country.