Côte d’Ivoire: Dominique Ouattara wishes new year to Ivorian women and present the prospects for 2025

This Friday, January 10, 2025, the Presidential Residence welcomed Ivorian women in all their diversity, for the traditional New Year’s greetings ceremony. This annual gathering was marked by warm exchanges, marked by respect and unity.  The ceremony witnessed the participation of women leaders from all walks of life, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

A tribute to the nation’s women leaders

 The First Lady expressed her joy at sharing this moment of unity and female solidarity. She first conveyed the warm greetings and good wishes of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Alassane Ouattara, to all the women present. Mrs Dominique Ouattara took the opportunity to salute the great female figures of Côte d’Ivoire. She also expressed her gratitude to Mrs Nassébéba Touré, Minister for Women, the Family and Children, and to Mrs Oubah Younis, Ambassador of Djibouti and representative of the Group of Ambassadors, for their kind words.

The First Lady warmly shake hands with all the women attending the event. There are : presidents of institutions, ministers, ambassadors, elected representatives, politicians, businesswomen, members of the medical profession, sports champions, teachers, journalists, artists and members of civil society.  Addressing the women, the First Lady praised their leadership. She encouraged them to pursue their commitment with determination to meet the challenges of 2025. According to her,  unity and solidarity are the only way to impact other women’s lives and contribute in maintaining peace and stability in the country. “Your commitment and leadership in your various fields of activity deserve to be saluted. You are the pillars of our country’s development and inspiring role models for future generations. Whether in the economic, social, political or cultural sectors, you embody the hope and resilience of our Nation”, said Mrs Dominique Ouattara. Before encouraging them to remain among the best in their various sectors of activity. “I encourage you to continue to give your best in everything you do, as you have always done. It is your individual successes and our collective successes that help shape the modern, forward-thinking country that so many people around the world appreciate today,” said Mrs Dominique Ouattara.

2025: a year of challenges

For Mrs Dominique Ouattara, 2025 will be a year of major challenges. She encouraged all women to remain united in their aspirations and achievements. “The year 2025 will also have its share of new challenges that we will be called upon to meet, each in our own fields. I remain convinced that we will be able to face any situation with courage and determination. If we want to carry high the flag of our beautiful nation we must remain united and mobilized. We also need to provide our support to the most vulnerable women, by listening to their needs, in order to strengthen the social fabric and contribute to peace and stability in our country”, revealed the First Lady.

Major progress for women and children

In her speech, Mrs Dominique Ouattara highlighted the progress made in 2024 on behalf of women and children. Thanks to the constant support of Ivorian women, the Children of Africa Foundation has been able to bring major projects to fruition, such as the opening of the children’s shelter in Plateau and the inauguration of the Home of life in Bingerville.  Maternal and child health remains our top priority. She praised the performance of the Bingerville Mother and Child Hospital, in particular the recent successful operation to separate two Siamese twins. She spoke of the pride she has for the medical teams. Construction of the new pediatric cardiology wing is also progressing, to better meet the needs of children suffering from heart disease.

Strengthening actions for women’s empowerment

The First Lady also announced the presentation, next March, of the new National Action Plan to combat child labor, reaffirming her commitment to this fight. She expressed her delight at the encouraging results of the FAFCI program, which has enabled nearly 420,000 women to benefit from a total of 26 billion F CFA. This fund remains an essential lever for women’s economic empowerment.

Well before the First Lady’s speech, the honor fell to Mrs Nassénéba Touré, Minister for Women, the Family and Children, to speak on behalf of all the women leaders present. Mrs Nassénéba Touré thanked the First Lady for her commitment, which remains “a beacon” for all the country’s women. She reaffirmed the determination and commitment of the women alongside the wife of the Head of State.

Mrs Oubah Younis, Ambassador of Djibouti and spokeswoman for the Group of Ambassadors’ spouses, expressed her deep gratitude to the First Lady for her humanitarian commitment, but also for enabling them to discover Côte d’Ivoire in all its beautiful diversity.

The women presented many gifts to the First Lady, who also offered gifts to each of her guests.

The evening ended with performances by renowned artists such as Roselyne Layo and Kereozen.