Some 60 women, members of a Platform of Women of Political Parties and Civil Society in Bouaké have made a commitment not to depend on anyone. From now on they intend to work to become financial independent.

From now on we are going to dare

This was the subject of a roundtable discussion 7 March 2016 in Bouaké on the theme : ‘’Women’s financial independence: A challenge for the family, children and men’’. The event was organised as part of celebrations of International Women’s Day with technical and logistical support from the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), and UN Women.

During the discussions, participants listened to presentations on a number of subjects including « Planet 50-50 by 2030, let’s make sex equality a reality », « Women’s financial independence: A challenge for the family, children and men’’, « The Place and Status of Women in the Ivorian Defence and Security Forces » and « Sex equality and women’s rights », made by UNOCI, UN Women and Save the Children.

The Head of UNOCI’s Sector East Office in Bouaké, Donatella Giubillaro, congratulated the women of the Platform on their contribution topolitics in Côte d’Ivoire. « I would like to thank you all for your contribution to the holding of a peaceful ; presidential election in October 2015. In addition, I would like to encourage you to fully participate in your respective parties and compete for decision-making posts in order to make the voices of women heard.

Visibly happy, one of the members of the Platform, Michelle Ouattara, expressed her gratitude to UNOCI for its constant support. «Thanks to UNOCI, today women in Bouaké are together. With all the training that we have received, I think that we are now capable of daring to do all sorts of things. Within our respective parties we are going to target decision-making posts so that we are not just there to make up the numbers», she said.