Bondoukou: First Lady Dominique Ouattara make donations worth over 500 million CFA francs to women

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, made significant food and non-food donations  worth over 500 million CFA francs to the women of the Zanzan District.

The donation ceremony was held at Bondoukou Town Hall in the presence of numerous political, administrative, and traditional authorities, as well as a large crowd who came to honour this gesture of generosity and solidarity. It was presided over by Mrs. Yao Patricia Sylvie, Chief of Staff to the First Lady.

The donations consisted of materials and equipment intended to support women farmers, traders, chefs, seamstresses, and hairdressers, in particular, in order to strengthen their income-generating activities and promote their financial independence. In addition, the First Lady also donated medical supplies and sanitary equipment to improve the region’s health infrastructure. Mrs. Dominique Ouattara donated five ambulances to various health centers in Zanzan, as well as cash donations totaling more than seven million CFA francs for the benefit of women and local communities.

Through this large-scale initiative, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara has once again reaffirmed her determination to support women and fight poverty by offering real opportunities for economic empowerment.

Taking the floor, Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, praised the First Lady’s generosity in her support for the women of Zanzan. “Thanks to the First Lady, most of our women are passionate about engaging in income-generating activities,” he said.  Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani places his hope in women as drivers of development and the fight against poverty. He also paid tribute to the First Lady for her commitment to women and children. “Since we have been in Bondoukou, this is the first time we have seen so many donations to support the population,” said Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani. For him, the importance of these donations clearly demonstrates that the First Lady’s heart, although absent from this ceremony, beats for her sisters and daughters in the Zanzan District.

 Mrs. Yao Patricia Sylvie expressed Mrs. Dominique Ouattara’s full support for her sisters in Zanzan. She recalled the First Lady’s commitment through the Children Of Africa Foundation, which she created in 1998. This commitment has resulted in the completion of numerous major projects such as the Mother and Child Hospital in Bingerville, the Children of Africa School Group in Abobo, the Safe Home for Women in Adiaké, and the Support Fund for Women in Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI), which carries out various activities for the well-being of women and children. “Have you ever seen a First Lady do so much for the people, a First Lady who cares for everyone?” asked Mrs. Yao Patricia Sylvie, adding that the wife of the Head of State is counting on the women of Côte d’Ivoire to make the right choice on October 25.

Ms. Anzoua Rosaline, Second Deputy Mayor of Bondoukou, thanked the First Lady on behalf of all the beneficiaries for her outpouring of solidarity and love. She also thanked her for her commitment to women and children, rightly describing her as a “wandering soul of charity.”

For Mr. Anzoumana Ouattara, Mayor of Bondoukou, the First Lady is “an exceptional woman whose heart is overflowing with love for Côte d’Ivoire and especially for women and children.” For him, these donations reflect the desire of the Head of State’s wife to contribute to the well-being and empowerment of women.

It should also be noted that the people of Bondoukou offered food to the First Lady as a sign of gratitude.