Fight against GBV: The First Lady exchanges views with Mrs. Nassénéba Touré and a high-level delegation 

Mrs Nassénéba Touré was accompanied by Mrs Nanette Aïcha Condé, Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and Vulnerable Persons of the Republic of Guinea, Jallow Fatoumata, former Vice-President of the Republic of Gambia, and Djaili Amal Amadou, Cameroonian writer and winner of the Goncourt Literary Award. Dr Djibril Diallo, President and CEO of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network participated to the meeting.

Present in Côte d’Ivoire as part of the launch ceremony of the “red card against gender-based violence” campaign, which took place this Tuesday, December 12, 2023, in Abidjan, these personalities were keen to meet the First Lady to express their admiration for her commitment to the promotion and empowerment of women, the protection of children and the fight against inequality and discrimination.

Mrs Nassénéba Touré, Minister for Women, the Family and Children, had the honor of taking stock of the 16 days of activism on gender-based violence. Indeed, the Minister for Women recalled that the launch of the “red card against gender-based violence” campaign follows 16 days of activism from November 21 to December 10, 2023. She also recalled that the members of the delegation had arranged to meet in Côte d’Ivoire to produce a declaration from Abidjan, which would be presented to the Heads of State. Mrs Nassénéba Touré revealed that she was keen for the ceremony to take place in Abidjan because of First Lady Dominique Ouattara’s commitment to the cause of women and children.

Indeed, the Minister for Women, the Family and Children revealed that First Lady Dominique Ouattara is the only First Lady in Africa who was already involved in social and humanitarian work through her Foundation before her husband becomes president. Mrs Nassénéba Touré also revealed that Côte d’Ivoire, through the Children Of Africa Foundation, will be setting up a 100-bed reception center for women victims of GBV next year. According to the Foundation, this project places Côte d’Ivoire on a par with Zimbabwe in the field of care for GBV female victims.

The First Lady, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, after welcoming the delegation, explained the meaning of her commitment and presented her actions in favor of the mother and the child. The First Lady pointed out that gender-based violence issues was particularly close to her heart, as she had realized that many women suffered violence in silence. Concerning the future shelter for women victims of GBV, the First Lady revealed that it will be built on two (2) hectares in the city of Adiake.

Residents will receive holistic care and will also be trained in trades and benefit from the women’s project financing program (FAFCI). The First Lady revealed that the center will be inaugurated at the end of March 2024. She also outlined her humanitarian commitment as head of the Foundation since 1998. But long before that, she recalled that she used to help children living on the streets in the Plateau commune. She concluded by presenting the Foundation’s major achievements, which include a highshool, a hospital, a school group and three (3) reception centers in Soubré, Bouaké and Ferkessédougou, and finally the FAFCI program, which has enabled over 365,000 women to benefit from financing for their projects.

Mrs Aïcha Condé, Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and Vulnerable Persons of the Republic of Guinea, presented the her country’s achievements to fight  GBV. In addition to having the support of the authorities and the police in the fight against GBV, Mrs Condé revealed that work is being done to ensure that women and children are their own protectors. The organization of mobile courts has also helped to reduce the number of GBV victims.  In addition to these achievements, the Minister for the Promotion of Women is ready to come back to Côte d’Ivoire to learn more about the Ivorian experience.

H.E. Mrs. Jallow Fatoumata, former Vice-President of the Republic of the Gambia, congratulated the First Lady on her actions on behalf of women and children. Mrs. Jallow praised the First Lady’s leadership on the continental stage. According to her, Côte d’Ivoire is a source of inspiration for other countries in promoting the rights of children and women. She concluded by recalling the importance of putting the human being at the center of all actions.

Djaili Amal Amadou, Cameroonian writer and winner of the Goncourt high school prize, presented her story. A victim of forced marriage and gender-based violence, she now uses her pen to defend women’s rights. This commitment has won her numerous awards, and her books have been translated into many languages and used in in Cameroon and France schools.

Dr Djibril Diallo, CEO of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, congratulated the Ivorian government on this initiative, which makes Abidjan the hub of the fight against GBV.