As Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, what are your key priorities in advising the government, particularly in areas related to gender equality and women’s empowerment?
Just before becoming Special Advisor on Gender to the Prime Minister, Head of Government, I held the same position with the President of the Republic, Mr. Alassane OUATARA for more than 10 years. In terms of progress in promoting equality and the empowerment of women, Côte d’Ivoire is currently the leader in Africa according to the latest OECD ranking. This exceptional result is proof that Côte d’Ivoire’s gender policy is relevant. My mission to the Prime Minister is a continuation of the one I assumed with the President of the Republic.
My main mission is to help the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire consolidate the achievements and support the government in implementing the guidelines contained in the country’s gender policy. The priorities are structured around three strategic axes. These include:
- Strengthening the institutionalization of gender policy. The 2016 constitution affirms equality between men and women in its preamble, but the integration of this provision into public policies through appropriate legislative and regulatory reforms still needs to be strengthened.
- Develop strategies and tools for better integration of gender policy into the functioning of institutions as well as skills strengthening.
- Carry out actions to strengthen the visibility of female skills and change mentalities.
- Promote research to better identify norms and practices of gender-based inequality and discrimination in order to propose corrective measures.
Côte d’Ivoire and India have a history of strong bilateral relations. How do you see the relationship between these two countries evolving, particularly in terms of collaborations in sports, gender empowerment, and sustainable development?
Côte d’Ivoire is the champion of the 2023 African Football Cup. At the same time, our country is also a champion of hospitality. In terms of sport, I particularly see the project of making sport a means of development and promotion of values such as hospitality, human fraternity and peace. During the CAN in Côte d’Ivoire, several initiatives to raise awareness about GBV were also carried out.
India and Côte d’Ivoire have chosen a decolonial, contextual gender approach oriented towards finding solutions to the specific needs of women and strengthening inclusive development. If the two countries share a similar vision and gender policy, the sharing of experiences between the actors of the two countries will be a mutual enrichment.
India has put in place remarkable initiatives such as Self Help Groups, which help women access financial resources and embark on entrepreneurship. On the other hand, Côte d’Ivoire also has its own initiatives, including two complementary programs, the Support Fund for Women of Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI) led by the First Lady Madame Dominique OUATARA and the Compendium of Women’s Skills of Côte d’Ivoire (COCOFCI). The first offers responses to practical needs and the second leads actions to raise awareness and propose responses to strategic needs in terms of women’s empowerment and the development of their skills for peace and development. COCOFCI has been recognized as the best African program for women’s empowerment.
In addition, I have developed a training program for gender engineering experts to equip Africa with the skills to implement the gender approach in all sectors and at all levels and stages of business management. Côte d’Ivoire has opted for a gender and development approach that is not exclusively centered on women but the eradication of inequalities between men and women. It is in this perspective that we are currently conducting a project on positive masculinity. A framework for collaboration between India and Côte d’Ivoire will help to better explore the possibilities of a partnership.
During your time as the Minister for the Promotion of Women, Family, and Child Protection, what key policies or initiatives did you spearhead to improve the lives of women and children in Côte d’Ivoire, and what progress have you observed as a result of these efforts?
Côte d’Ivoire is ranked first African country that has created the most favorable environment for the development of women and the promotion of equal opportunities between men and women. This new position as African leader of Côte d’Ivoire is the result of our various efforts. With more than 30 years of experience in the promotion of gender equality, I have supported the Ivorian government in the development of gender policies, programs and strategies. Through my advice and advocacy, I participated in the integration of equal opportunities in the 2016 constitution.
As Coordinator of the Compendium of Women’s Skills of Côte d’Ivoire (COCOFCI), which I set up at the request of the President of the Republic, I can only be proud. COCOFCI now has a database of 18,000 women with skills in various fields who are sensitized, coached and trained in empowerment and the gender and development approach. I led the work of drafting the action plan for the implementation of United Nations Resolution 1325. Subsequently, I set up the very first center to combat gender-based violence in Côte d’Ivoire. Today, a department has been created at the Ministry of Family, Women and Children.
Another strategic contribution of my commitments includes the development of training programs for gender engineering experts, tools such as the Gender and Business Competitiveness (GECE) label and CREA-Paix within the UNESCO Chair, Water, Women and Decision-Making Power of which I am the holder.
Finally, I started writing books as a tool to promote the gender approach in schools for children, adolescents and young people. A novel entitled Eky, or the secret of success, inspired by another book on my journey.
According to the President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, I have been an essential pillar in anchoring the concept of gender in the mentalities of Ivorians. The international and national recognition that I have obtained leads me to believe that my contribution has had a positive effect and I thank God for it.
What are some of the most impactful initiatives your government has undertaken to support women’s empowerment and gender equality, and how do you engage the local communities to ensure long-term success of these programs?
The Government of Côte d’Ivoire has implemented initiatives to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality, with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2016-2020 and 2021-2025. Over the past decade, the country has implemented several laws and policies aimed at improving women’s and girls’ access to education, health, and political participation. Law No. 2015-635, adopted in 2015, made schooling compulsory until age 16, and reforms have allowed women to join institutions such as the Military Preparatory Technical School (2013) and the National Gendarmerie (2014). Secondary schools dedicated to girls have also been created, and scholarships in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have become more accessible. In terms of health, Law No. 2014-131 established universal health coverage, accompanied by a national maternal and child health program from 2015. In addition, the 2019 law on the representation of women is a major turning point. Also, several reforms have been made to the penal, labor and land codes to promote gender equality. Beyond legislative reforms, the institutional framework has also been strengthened. Several structures have been set up within the Ministry of Solidarity, Women, Family and Children to support actions in favor of gender. The General Directorate of Gender and Women’s Empowerment brings together several departments, including Gender and Equity, IFEF (Institutions for Training and Women’s Education) and Women’s Entrepreneurship. At the same time, the Directorate for Equality and Gender Promotion (DEPG), created in 2006, ensures compliance with gender equality, coordinates gender-related initiatives and promotes the gender approach in public policies. At the same time, at the sectoral level, Gender Units have been created in technical ministries to ensure that the needs of women and men are taken into account in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. With a view to working for the practical needs of women, the government supports the FAFCI in order to facilitate their access to credit to finance income-generating activities, thus improving their economic autonomy. Conversely, the COCOFCI, also encouraged by the government, aims to meet strategic needs by promoting the integration of women in decision-making spheres by promoting their skills and registering them in a database dedicated to this purpose. This tool plays a key role in identifying areas of female under-representation and directs corrective policies to strengthen equal opportunities. By combining the visibility of competent women, networking and facilitated access to opportunities, COCOFCI is part of a dynamic of structural transformation of the role of women in the governance and development of the country. Since 2007, a Gender and Development Thematic Group, as well as a VBG (Gender-Based Violence) coordination, have been established to strengthen the management of gender in the country’s development actions. Finally, the construction of the Hydraulic Pump in Diatakro in the department of Aboisso to facilitate the access to water benefited from the support of the government through concerted work with local populations.
In recognition of your significant contributions to gender issues and women’s empowerment, you are set to receive an honorary doctorate from Rai University in India. How does this recognition inspire you to continue your work, and what message would you like to share with women striving for similar achievements?
Receiving an honorary doctorate from Rai University in India in recognition of my contributions to gender issues and women’s empowerment is a true honor and a huge surprise for me. It is a moment of deep pride, not only for myself, but also for all the women and communities I have been fortunate to support in this journey. I would particularly like to express my sincere thanks to the Chancellor, the academic staff and the entire institution for this honor that goes beyond me and celebrates the commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. This recognition reminds me that every action taken locally can have a global impact. It strengthens my determination to value and make visible the contributions of women, especially those in rural areas, who are often left in the shadows. Equal opportunities, which is one of the pillars of Rai University, is also the cornerstone of my commitment to a more just and inclusive society. I am particularly touched by the bond that is being woven between India and Côte d’Ivoire, two nations sharing the same vision of social justice and progress. This distinction encourages me to continue my commitment. Thank you very much for this recognition that touches me deeply.
During your visit to India, you will meet with Indian specialists in gender issues. What are the key insights or best practices you hope to exchange with them, and how do you think both nations can collaborate to advance gender equality and women’s rights on a global scale?
I look forward to meeting with Indian gender experts to share experiences, challenges, and strategies that have shaped the progress made in both our countries. India, with its rich cultural heritage and innovative policies, offers valuable lessons on how to mainstream gender equality into public policies, including through education, legislation, and community initiatives. I particularly hope to explore collaborative approaches to breaking gender stereotypes, promoting women’s participation in economic and political sectors, and strengthening their financial autonomy.
I would be very happy to share my experience with the UNESCO Chair, Water, Women and Decision-Making Power that I hold and the Compendium of Women’s Competencies (COCOFCI) for a possible integration of these programs into their own system. We have everything to gain from sharing our experiences and leveraging synergies between our nations to influence global policies, for example by unifying our voices for stronger international laws on violence against women or by supporting empowerment projects in rural areas. I strongly believe that the cooperation between our two countries can serve as a model for other nations, proving that commitment to gender equality is not only a national responsibility, but a global imperative, requiring collective action and strong political will. I hope this first official meeting will be a framework for mutual understanding and the beginning of a collaboration to make gender a tool for sustainable development and the advancement of women.
Would you like to give any message to our Envoy Excellency readers?
I thank the authorities of Rai University for the academic and scientific recognition of my contribution in promoting equal opportunities between women and men and an African gender approach. I thank the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire in India for his welcome and for his commitment to making visible in India the initiatives of Côte d’Ivoire in terms of equal opportunities between women and men. I dedicate this Honoris Causa doctorate that I receive to all women committed to promoting the rights and well-being of women and to all He or she men like my President Alassane OUATARA. We all have a role to play in ensuring that women and girls have the same opportunities as men, and that they can participate fully in economic, social and political life. The new world order will only be possible with a male-female partnership at all levels.