Some 2,000 school children from private and public schools in Hiré gathered to discuss the theme : « Pupils of Hiré and UNOCI, hand in hand say no to violence, early pregnancy and to promote the culture of peace and national reconciliation», at a school sensitisation caravan on Wednesday, 28 January 2015, organised by the Public Information Office of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), based in Divo (189 km from Abidjan) and the Ivorian Police.



The caravan was held in collaboration with officials of the Directorate of National Education and Technical Teaching in southern region of Loh Djiboua and the Ministry of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children.

The head of UNOCI's delegation and representative of the Human Rights Division, Etienne Allou, thanked the local authorities for their commitment in organising the event. He then urged the school children, especially youg girls, to focus on their studies. « My dear pupils, you represent the future of Côte d'Ivoire. Your parents have great in you, » he told them.



The representative of the Principal of the school where the event was organised, Ouattara Oumar Raymond, welcomed the interest shown by participants regarding the theme of the event. « As far as the Ministry of Education and the Government are concerned, the theme chosen for this event is extremely pertinent because our aim is to establish a healthy school environment that is peaceful and convivial, » he said.



With regard to pregnancy among school girls, the regional director of the Ministry of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children of Loh Djiboua, Mariam Sekongo quoted some statistics on the issue. « Last year 129 cases of early pregnancies were registered in Divo. This year in Hiré during the first three months , about a dozen cases have already been registered in middle school, » she said. Girls of 11, 12 and 13 years are among those who fell pregnant, she added. In some 30% of these cases, those responsible for making these girls pregnant were pupils themselves, » Mrs Sekongo explained.



« These pregnancies have created conflict between the different families and communities in Hiré », said the representative of the deputy prefect, Police Commission, Gérard Gbato.



Speaking on behalf of the pupils of Hiré, Bénédicte Awa Koné, made a commitment to work towards attaining « zero pregnancies » in Ivorian schools.



A representative from each school has something to say about peace. For the pupils of MUPES school « the culture of peace is everybody's business. Cultivate peace by mutual acceptance ». The pupils of the Municipal Secondary School of Hiré, had the following message : « We appeal to our friends and the leaders of beautiful Côte d'Ivoire to get on trhe train of unity and peace with UNOCI ».



The school children also recited poems most of which talked about peace and reconciliation. A school quiz organised as part of the event's activities was won by the Municipal Secondary School.