National Commitment Against Gender-Based Violence: First Lady Dominique Ouattara Call for a National Initiative to Eradicate the Scourge

Côte d’Ivoire has taken a significant step in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). On Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Auditorium of the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, First Lady Dominique Ouattara officially launched the National Commitment Against GBV. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Women, Family, and Children and championed by First Lady Dominique Ouattara, reaffirmed her determination to eradicate this phenomenon, which continues to affect thousands of women and girls across the country.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of a host of political, diplomatic, religious, and traditional leaders, as well as representatives from civil society, the private sector, the media, and numerous citizens who came to lend their support to this collective action.

The highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the National Declaration of Commitment against Gender-Based Violence by all stakeholders. Through this act, the parties pledged to strengthen prevention, combat impunity, protect survivors, and promote a society founded on respect and equality.

Taking advantage of this national platform, First Lady Dominique Ouattara called on all dignitaries present and the population to take action to end all forms of violence against women and girls. Indeed, for Mrs. Ouattara, gender-based violence constitutes a serious violation of human rights, as well as a major obstacle to women’s empowerment and the harmonious development of the nation. “Violence against women and girls is no longer acceptable in our country,” she declared firmly, asserting that its eradication must become a collective responsibility.

The First Lady emphasized that the statistics presented during the ceremony, also reflect a positive shift in attitudes. According to her, the increase in the number of reported cases demonstrates the growing confidence of victims in reporting mechanisms and their willingness to break the silence.

Committed for over twenty-eight (28) years to the protection of children and the well-being of women, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara reiterated that her fight against gender-based violence rests first and foremost on concrete actions. It is within this framework that the Children of Africa Foundation inaugurated the “Safe Home” Women’s Center in Adiaké in April 2025. Presented as a tangible response to the distress of survivors, this center offers temporary accommodation, medical and legal support, a training center, and spaces dedicated to the personal recovery and empowerment of women who have experienced violence. For the First Lady, this center symbolizes the commitment to transforming rhetoric into sustainable solutions capable of restoring hope and dignity to vulnerable women.

Mrs. Dominique Ouattara particularly emphasized the essential role of every person in the society. She invited religious and traditional authorities to continue their awareness-raising work within communities, the media to contribute to the education of populations and the deconstruction of stereotypes, the private sector to integrate the fight against GBV into its internal policies, and young people to become the architects of a lasting change in behavior.

The First Lady also paid a moving tribute to the survivors who agreed to speak publicly about their experiences. Commending their courage, she affirmed that their voices build the moral foundation of this national mobilization and a powerful tool for protecting other victims.

Convinced that Côte d’Ivoire’s development can only occur with the full participation of women, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara called on all signatories to translate their commitments into tangible and lasting actions. She reaffirmed her determination to relentlessly pursue the fight against gender-based violence until its complete eradication from Ivorian society.

Minister of Women, Family, and Children, Ms. Nassénéba Touré, stated that June 13, 2026, marks a historic turning point for Côte d’Ivoire. She explained that this day proclaims the nation’s solemn commitment to no longer tolerate gender-based violence (GBV), establishing the protection of women, children, and families as an absolute national priority. She also expressed her gratitude for the President of the Republic’s commitment to promoting women’s rights. According to the Minister, the State’s commitment rests on three pillars: political will translated into concrete actions, national unity and a pan-African dimension, and finally, the mandatory transition from words to action. Furthermore, Ms. Nassénéba Touré paid tribute to the First Lady for her fight for human dignity. She finally reiterated that violence against women is not a private matter, but a “wound inflicted on the entire Republic.”

The ceremony was marked by declarations of commitment from several prominent figures, as well as a reading by Mr. Bamba Drissa, Vice-President of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH). “As of this Saturday, June 13, 2026, we, the signatories of this national commitment, proclaim a ZERO, absolute, and unequivocal TOLERANCE for Gender-Based Violence throughout the entire national territory,” declared Mr. Bamba Drissa.