Global Leadership by Women Summit in Marseille: First Lady Dominique Ouattara Calls on Decision-Makers to Show Generosity
Speaking to a distinguished audience, Madame Dominique Ouattara recounted her remarkable journey from her career as a business leader to the establishment of her foundation. Her experiences ranging from the acquisition and development of the AICI real estate group to the Jacques Dessange group in the United States (specializing in beauty products and services) shaped the guiding principle she lives by: “Success only has meaning when it is put at the service of others.” Indeed, since 2011 when her husband assumed the presidency, Madame Dominique Ouattara has stepped away from the business world to dedicate herself entirely to humanitarian work.
The audience had the opportunity to learn about and see the impressive achievements of the Children Of Africa Foundation.
The First Lady highlighted the Foundation’s many accomplishments, including the construction of schools of excellence, the deployment of mobile libraries across Côte d’Ivoire, the annual distribution of thousands of school kits, the construction of the Dominique Ouattara Mother-Child Hospital in Bingerville, the provision of free care for numerous children suffering from pediatric cancer, the opening of the ” House of Life” to receive the families of hospitalized children, and the establishment of several shelters for children in need.
She also reaffirmed her commitment to child protection through her leadership of the National Committee to Combat Child Trafficking, Exploitation, and Labor, as well as through initiatives aimed at fostering a responsible cocoa sector that respects children’s rights.
Convinced that the future of children is inextricably linked to that of women, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara highlighted the Support Fund for Women of Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI), which has enabled over two million people to escape poverty through microloan. She also drew attention to the establishment of the “Safe Home” Women’s Center in Adiake, dedicated to providing shelter and helping women and girls who have suffered violence to rebuild their lives.
Beyond reviewing her achievements, the First Lady, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, issued a powerful call to the international community. Addressing the challenges facing new generations, she urged political leaders, business executives, philanthropists, and all development stakeholders to dedicate a portion of their success to the well-being of the most vulnerable. In her view, investing in education, healthcare, child protection, and women’s empowerment is the most effective way to build societies that are more stable, prosperous, and equitable. “(…) Generosity, when driven by a vision, can transform lives and have a lasting impact on communities.
To decision-makers, I would like to encourage you to dedicate, as much as possible, a share of your success to the well-being of those who lack the means to build their own futures. For there are no small gestures when it comes to the future, only great acts of humanity to be carried out,” she declared to the applause of the assembly, thereby summarizing her vision of leadership rooted in solidarity, responsibility, and a commitment to serving others.
