First Lady Dominique Ouattara sponsored the 3rd edition of the African Women 2.0 Brunch, on Saturday October 7, 2023, at the Salle des Fêtes of the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire.For this year the theme was set as “Women and Digital”

This groundbreaking event brings together women opinion leaders from all over Africa to exchange and share their experiences on the challenges and opportunities facing women in Africa.

More than a hundred women took part in this 3rd edition of the African Woman 2.0 brunch, including Ivorian female Ministers, Ms Françoise Remarck, Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Ms Belmonde Dogo Myss, Minister of Solidarity and the Fight against Povertý, Ms Nassénéba Touré, Minister of Women, Family and Children and Mr Amadou Coulibaly, Minister of Communication and the Digital Economy.

The meeting was an opportunity for the First Lady, Ms Dominique Ouattara, the event’s godmother, to reaffirm her conviction in the role of women in the country’s development process. Indeed, for the wife of the Head of State, women remain an essential player in the country’s economic development. “(…) For my part, I have always been convinced that the contribution of women is essential to the economic development of our countries. Today, women operate in various line of business, and are involved in the strategic decision-making of our companies”, said the First Lady. For the wife of the Head of State, the African Women 2.0 Brunch is “a wonderful opportunity to share experience and pass on knowledge between generations”. Taking advantage of the ceremony’s setting, the First Lady shared her enlightening journey and experience as a woman entrepreneur and First Lady committed to humanitarian causes. She recalled the creation of the AICI International Group in Abidjan in the 1980s.

This was followed by the acquisition of the Nostalgie Afrique group in the 90s, and in 1996, the acquisition and development of the Jacques Dessanges USA group in the United States. The First Lady also recalled that in the same time she has always been concerned about children’s protection. That is why she created a shelter in 1994 and the Children Of Africa Foundation in 1998.  The First Lady also presented the tripartite sectors in which she works as the head of the Children Of Africa Foundation, namely health, education and social welfare. Among her achievements, she mentioned the construction of the Children’s Hospital of Bingerville in 2018, the organization of nationwide vaccination and deworming campaigns, ophthalmology caravans, and health missions to the Children’s Hospital of Bingerville. With regards to the education sector, she mentioned the construction of a high school in the locality of Kong in 2000, the mobile libraries and multimedia rooms, as well as the construction of three (03) children’s centers in Soubré, Bouaké and Ferkessédougou.

The First Lady also spoke of her commitment to adress child labor issue in the country  through the National Oversight Committee of Actions for the Fight against Child Trafficking, Exploitation an Child Labour (CNS) and the creation of a Fund to support women’s generating activities (FAFCI). The fund which has now financed almost 365,000 women, has helped about 2 million people to escape poverty. And finally, the First Lady spoke of her commitment as  UNAIDS Special Ambassador since 2014 for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS in order to make antiretroviral treatments more accessible to patients. Before ending, the First Lady congratulated the women. “(…) I would like to reiterate my congratulations to each and every one of you, and encourage you to remain strong, bold and active. You are the inspiring role models Africa needs to bring about a sustainable transformation of its economy”, said the First Lady.

Mr. Amadou Coulibaly, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, recalled the importance of digital for the economy. He went on to say that digital technology has changed the process by improving banking services. He also recalled the gender development policy initiated by the President of the Republic. For him, the Head of State is the best champion of gender equity.

Ms Nassénéba Touré, Minister for Women,  Family and Children, paid a vibrant tribute to the First Lady for her inspiring career. She wished to see more women and girls like Ms Dominique Ouattara. She concluded by recalling the importance of women’s contribution to Africa’s economic development. “We cannot imagine Africa’s future without the participation of women,” she said.

Ms Myss Belmonde Dogo, Minister for Solidarity and the Fight against Poverty, invited women to assimilate digital technology for their own development. “You are role models and you must have an impact on young people”, she told the women attending the 3rd edition of the African Women 2.0 Brunch.

Aïssata Sidibé N’Dia, Director of Afrique Femme, presented the objectives of the African Women 2.0 Brunch. For her, the aim of this event is to bring about a change in the way women think by creating inspiring role models, raising awareness among young people and celebrating the made in Africa concept.

The 3rd edition of the African Women 2.0 Brunch featured women’s exhibitions, talk shows and three (3) inspiring women received an award.