Cowater International Inc. | Cowater International Inc.

Purpose

This project aims to empower women and strengthen their economic status in Morocco's oasis zones. The Socio-economic Empowerment of Women in Oasis and Argan Grove Areas (ASEFOA) project will support women's entrepreneurship and the fight against gender, socio-cultural and institutional barriers in order to promote the active participation of women in the oasis and argan grove areas in social and economic development, and the emergence of a sustainable agricultural sector in those areas. Project activities include: 1) carrying out a study of present and future barriers and opportunities for women's and mixed professional organizations; 2) providing technical assistance to women's professional organizations in implementing the capacity-building plan; 3) developing a solutions mechanism for financing small-scale technical assistance projects and upgrading local infrastructure. The ASEFOA project is expected to directly benefit 6,600 women and 1,500 men registered in 1,044 professional organizations. In addition, it should indirectly benefit 515,000 working people living in the targeted areas of Morocco.