Mari Carmen Ecoro

"We have invited companies to provide designs as terms of reference on how to build a social center. A social center must have programs that meet the needs of society."

"Often times we keep them at home due to our culture, and they do not go out or have activities. A social center can serve as a morning services center, where they are picked up in a bus and go to the center to learn art, dance, celebrate their birthdays, or reconnect with others they may not have seen in years."

"They will find doctors, dentists, opticians, etc., that can provide these free services. It would be a way to make their lives dignified."

"There are many who have no recreation. ... After school they can go to these centers to learn something new or study with mentors who can help them with homework. They can also have food without being asked about their economic status."

"The center will help her help herself. These centers are very important for this ministry and the people of Equatorial Guinea to serve as the first place one goes when one seeks information, help, support, etc."

"When we look at women during the years of dictatorship, we saw that the woman did not have her own identity. But since 1979… the first call made by the President was to rebuild and provide our knowledge towards a better Guinea. He made an emphasis on women, for the woman to be trained and educated. When a woman is trained and educated, she can give more than when she is not."

"We used to lose girls in primary and secondary education,” Minister Ecoro said, “but today with a change in the law, girls can choose careers that were traditionally man dominant. That is a great advancement. In the business world, we see many women entrepreneurs."

"The countries of the African continent should take the example that is leading our country in the sense that we must continue to support women, but putting an emphasis on their education and training from an early age"