The Civil Affairs and Child Protection Sections of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), in partnership with the Legal Clinic if Duékoué, whose mandate is to improve access to rights and justice, on 4 October 2013, sensitised the people of Guezon, in the Duékoué area, on the fight against gender-based violence. The messages given to participants also included the need to register the birth of babies.



The representative of UNOCI's Child Protection Section warned against violence against children, adding that such acts always have serious consequences. He urged parents not to accept "{friendly solutions after children's rights have been violated and to protect their children who are the future of not only Guezon but of Côte d'Ivoire}".



Corinne Moussa and Innocent Traoré from the Legal Clinic spoke to participants about the duty of parents. "{When you decide to have a child, as soon as that child is born you must register its birth with the

relevant local authorities within three months. If you don't you could face legal action which could be even more costly},"said Mrs Moussa. In the absence of both parents, the Legal Clinic agents added, the mother can register the birth of the child with the father's name and this would protect the child's right. They then warned against gender-based violence such as rape, physical abuse, forced marriage and sexual harassment.