International Women’s Day

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First Lady Dominique Ouattara sponsored the International Women’s Day 2019, Friday, March 8, 2019. The celebration was held in Bouaké, specifically at the Palais du Carnaval.

The ceremony was attended by thousands of women from all walks of life from all over the country; members of the Government; Ambassadors and Heads of Mission in Côte d’Ivoire; as well as representatives of the United Nations system and Mrs Henriette Konan Bédié, President of Servir. This year’s theme was ” empowerment of women through digital solution”.

As a strong advocate for the rights and the empowerment of women, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, godmother of the event, once again reiterated her belief that women are essential for the development of our country. The First Lady also took advantage of the celebration to make in kind and cash donations worth more than 200 million CFA francs to women in the Gbêkê region. Mrs. Dominique Ouattara also announced an additional investment of 300 million  CFA for the women. This new loan will bring to 1 billion 100 million CFA, the FAFCI loan allocated to women in the Gbêkê region.

“It should be noted that the FAFCI capital has increased from 10 to 12 billion FCFA, thanks to the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara. “In total, 800 million CFA francs have been allocated to your region to help you start your own business. Today, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, I am pleased to announce that an additional 300 million CFA investment will be available to you. This brings the FAFCI loan for the region of Gbêkê to 1 billion 100 million F CFA, “she explained. In addition, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara welcomed the adoption on March 6, at the Council of Ministers, of a bill for a better representation of women in the parliament. “Indeed, this law imposes a minimum quota of 30% of women in the National Assembly, in the Senate, as well as in the Regional Council, District Council and City Council. This is clearly a big step forward. Such a decision is clearly a progress towards gender equality in state institutions, “she said.

Professor Bakayoko Ly Ramata, Minister of Women, Family and Children also welcomed the advancement of women’s rights in Côte d’Ivoire. For the latter, this progress must be put on the account of initiatives taken by President Alassane Ouattara to improve women’s conditions. “The role of women in society should be enhanced,” she said.

Ms. Antonia Ngabala Sodonou, representative of UNFEMME, echoed the same. She recalled the reforms made in this direction since the establishment by the United Nations in 1977 of the International Women’s Day. She requested for more political will to push back the barriers of inequality between men and women. Youssouf Nicolas Djibo, Mayor of Bouaké, for his part, thanked the First Lady for her financial support to the women of his city. Note that a parade of nearly 2,000 women from 92 associations and groups was the highlight of the event.

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