Thisexclusive interview with Mariame Diakité, CEO of the NGO Servons C.I., focuses on the launch of the “Les Ateliers Élite au Féminin” program, in partnership with Cybastion. This ambitious initiative aims to support former Ivorian footballers in their transition to new professional opportunities through training in cybersecurity and digital skills.

In this interview, Mariame Diakité will share her experience, her aspirations and the impact of the cybersecurity training program on the retraining of former Ivorian players.

1. What motivated you to create the Elite Women’s Workshops, and what impact do you want to have?

The Ateliers Élites au Féminin were born from a real need: to help young women graduates take the plunge into professional integration. Many leave universities or schools with solid academic skills, but without the necessary keys to enter the job market and evolve in a competitive environment.

With this program, we offer them not only training and mentoring, but also concrete support through internships and business integration opportunities. Our ambition is to help these young women find their place and become the leaders of tomorrow, whatever their sector of activity.

2.What are the biggest challenges women face today in their professional advancement and how do these workshops help them overcome them?

One of the major challenges is the lack of access to the right opportunities. Many talented young women struggle to land a first job or find their way due to a lack of network, self-confidence or adequate preparation for the realities of the job market.

The Ateliers Élites au Féminin offer them a concrete solution: we train them in essential soft skills (communication, leadership, professional posture), we provide them with personalized mentoring and we facilitate their connection with companies and recruiters. We are thus creating a bridge between these young graduates and the world of work, giving them the tools and the network necessary to succeed.

3. Do you have a notable example of a participant whose journey was transformed thanks to the Elite Women’s Workshops?

Yes, Cindy’s story is particularly inspiring. A graduate in public law, convinced that she was condemned to become a civil servant, she was looking for her professional path. Thanks to the Ateliers Élites au Féminin, she benefited from personalized support and structuring mentoring.

Today, she has been working for almost two years in a notary's office, where she learns from her mentor, Maître Fofana, and is gradually building a promising career.

Her journey perfectly illustrates the impact of the program: it is not just about finding a job, but allowing these young women to flourish in environments where they can grow, learn and evolve into leadership roles.

4. In your opinion, what are the keys to encouraging more women to take leadership roles in Africa?

The key to female leadership is solidarity between women. Too often, those who break the glass ceiling find themselves isolated, when they should be open doors for future generations.

Women who access positions of responsibility have an essential role to play: that of reaching out to younger people, supporting them and creating opportunities for them. This is exactly what we are doing with Les Ateliers Élites au Féminin: we are building an ecosystem where mutual assistance and mentoring allow young graduates to more easily access the job market.

The glass ceiling must no longer be feminine: every successful woman must inspire and support another. This is how we will see more and more women taking key roles in Africa.

5.Whatare your next objectives to strengthen the impact of the Elite Women’s Workshops?

Since 2021, we have supported more than 750 young graduates, 80% of whom are women, with a remarkable success rate. This figure proves that targeted and structured support works.

Our next goals are:

• Find new partners and sponsors, in order to increase our capacity for action and expand our impact.
• Obtain additional funding to strengthen our programs and offer even more opportunities to young women.
• Expand our network of partner companies, in order to increase opportunities for professional integration.
• Strengthen mentoring, by mobilizing more women leaders to support and inspire new generations.
• Create a strong alumni network, where former participants in turn become ambassadors and facilitators of opportunities.
• Develop new training adapted to the demands of the labor market, to give our beneficiaries a competitive advantage.

We not only want to support, but also change the dynamics of female leadership in Africa, by making today's young graduates tomorrow's leaders!

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Program Launched to Help Train Ivorian Female Soccer Players Transition to Tech Careers