Dimbokro: First Lady Dominique Ouattara calls for more efforts to promote women’s rights

First Lady Dominique Ouattara launched an appeal for mobilization for the promotion of women’s rights, this Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Dimbokro, on the occasion of the celebration of the 48th edition of the International Women’s Rights Day, in Dimbokro, at the Samba Ambroise Koné Stadium. Under the theme: “Women’s rights in Côte d’Ivoire 30 years after Beijing: Achievements and strategies for the future”, this 48th edition was an opportunity for the various participants to review the progress made in defending and promoting women’s rights in Côte d’Ivoire.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of a number of personalities, including Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, Prime Minister, Mrs. Maïmouna Koné, wife of the Vice-President, Mr. Adama Koné, Minister of Economy and Finance and Mayor of the commune of Dimbokro, as well as a large number of VIPs and local residents.  In front of more than 10,000 women from all over the N’Zi region, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, called on all stakeholders – the government, United Nations agencies and members of civil society – to take further action to break down the last pockets of resistance to the promotion of women’s rights.

“Together, we must step up efforts to promote women’s empowerment, encourage female entrepreneurship and develop access to new technologies and training. We must also continue the fight against gender-based violence, even in the most remote hamlets”, urged Mrs Dominique Ouattara. The First Lady also launched a solemn appeal to the various stakeholders involved in promoting women’s rights, as a necessary pledge to offer women a radiant future. “This is an opportunity for me to appeal to all stakeholders, in particular the organizations of the United Nations system, members of civil society, the government and all our partners, to take further action to promote women’s rights. This is how we can contribute effectively to building a better future for our sisters and daughters”, the First Lady reminded us.

Gifts and a FAFCI cheques offered to women

But well before this solemn appeal, the wife of the Head of State offered living and non-living goods of 500 million F CFA to the women of the N’Zi region. The gifts consisted of foodstuffs and equipment needed by the women for their income-generating activities. In addition to these gifts, the First Lady also donated 12 million F CFA to the population. Mrs. Dominique Ouattara presented gifts worth a total of 512 million F CFA to the women and people of the N’Zi region. The wife of the Head of State also granted a new endowment of 400 million FCFA under the FAFCI program for women in the N’Zi region. This new contribution brings the financing to a total of 2,215 million FCFA. This will enable women to develop their income-generating activities and improve their families’ living conditions.

 

Paying tribute to the President of the Republic

Mrs Dominique Ouattara also paid tribute to the President of the Republic, H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, for his reforms to promote women’s rights. According to the First Lady, these reforms have enabled the country to make significant progress in promoting women’s rights. Today, according to the OECD’s latest SIGI report, the country is one of the most advanced on the African continent in the fight against discrimination against women. “This recognition is the fruit of bold reforms initiated by the vision of my dear husband, President Alassane Ouattara, who has always prioritized the well-being of populations in general and the promotion of gender in particular. In recent years, major efforts have been made to guarantee every Ivorian a superior quality of life. Under the impetus of President Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire has undergone a profound transformation, placing the fulfillment of Ivorians and the development of our country at the heart of its action”, said the First Lady, before enumerating the vast projects undertaken by the state to promote gender equality. Indeed, the First Lady cited the opening of vast national worksites that have been implemented to enable the construction of modern road infrastructures, facilitating access to healthcare and essential services, particularly for women and children. The construction of new hospitals and health centers, and easy access to drinking water and electricity, bear witness to sustainable socio-economic development. The government has also invested massively in education, building schools and colleges in the most remote areas, thus encouraging the enrolment of children, particularly girls. On the political front, the introduction of a 30% quota for women in elected office and the opening up of jobs traditionally reserved for men, such as in the Technical Preparatory Military School (EMPT) and the Gendarmerie, among others, testify to a resolute commitment to gender promotion. The First Lady also cited the appointment of women to decision-making positions, and to the heads of public institutions such as the Senate, the Constitutional Court and the National Human Rights Commission. Finally, Côte d’Ivoire’s active involvement in issues relating to protection against gender-based violence, through the Ministry for Women, the Family and Children. In this field, the wife of the Head of State revealed that the Children of Africa Foundation has made its contribution to the national effort, by building in Adiaké, a beautiful center to be inaugurated next month, called “Women’s Home”, for the care of women victims of violence. “All these achievements testify to the inclusive vision and firm determination of the President of the Republic, in favor of the progress and development of Côte d’Ivoire for the benefit of all. But also of his determination to work tirelessly for the empowerment of women”, declared the First Lady .

Mrs Nassénéba Touré, Minister for Women, the Family and Children, who led the celebrations, welcomed the major advances made by the country in promoting women’s rights. Despite persistent challenges such as climate change and gender-based violence (GBV), Côte d’Ivoire had begun its way towards gender equality.

Adama Coulibaly, Minister of the Economy and Budget and spokesperson for the population, thanked the First Lady for her commitment to the well-being of women in the N’Zi region.

Mrs Raymonde Goudou Coffie, Minister and  Governor of the Lake District, recalled the permanent commitment of the wife of the Head of State to the well-being of women. For her, the creation of the FAFCI in 2012, of which she was a witness, is proof of this commitment.

Mrs Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System Agencies, praised Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in the field of gender promotion.

Mrs Fofana  Bassoulé Minata, spokeswoman for the women of the N’Zi region, also took the opportunity to thank the First Lady.  She also called for collective awareness of the need to promote women’s rights.