The Civil Affairs section of the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) on 30 September 2014 joined members of the Confederation of African Women's Organisations (COFA) for a campaign in the Abidjan district of Abobo aimed at eradicating armed violence committed by juveniles.



The campaign which brought together some 200 participants from 70 women's groups, several youth associations and about 30 young people- at- risk discussed ways of combating armed violence by youths of between 8 and 13, commonly known as "microbes".



In her welcome address, COFA president Mariam Sow asked: "Who wants her child to be a delinquent? Our presence here," she continued, "is motivated by our willingness to save our children."



Drawing support from her UN colleagues including Marie-Richmond Ahoua and Yao Amega Akpodje from UNOCI's Public Information and Disarmament Offices respectively, Ms. Gahoussou Yeo of the Civil Affairs Office described the "microbes" phenomenon saying it meant juveniles using light weapons to commit acts of aggression on the civilian population.



She said the campaign provided an ideal framework for UNOCI to contribute to the creation of a secure environment to enable the protection of civilians in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2162.

It was recommended that about 50 women would undertake a door-to-door campaign aimed at reaching 84,000 people in the Abobo municipality to spread the message against this form of juvenile delinquency which is ravaging several neighbourhoods in Abidjan.



Participants also agreed that there was a need to establish better communication between parents and children and to involve spouses and other influential members of the community such as traditional and religious leaders in the education of the young.