The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) is continuing its awareness campaign to help Ivorians strengthen social cohesion. Consequently on Friday, 15 January 2016, a delegation from the United Nations, composed of staff from the Mission's Public Information, Civil Affairs, Human Rights divisions, United Nations Police, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Joint Programme for Poverty Reduction, went to Monogaga, some 35 km east from San Pedro, to meet local people.



The head of the delegation, Paul Zokou of UNOCI's Human Rights Division, expressed his colleagues appreciation to the people of Monogaga before explaining the aim of the sensitization campaign known as ONUCI Tour. He encouraged the 80 participants who attended the meeting to become agents and the messengers of peace in their communities and in their respective villages.



During the awareness-raising session, representatives of the different UNOCI sections explained their mandate. Kadizatou Ibrahim Cisse, UNOCI's Public Information Officer in San Pedro explained the Division's mandate and activities and encouraged participants to cultivate peace in Monogaga. "You should encourage understanding and peace because without these your village cannot be developed. Do your best to make your union and brotherhood stronger than ever, "she said.



Paul Zokou of the Human Rights Division highlighted the importance of respecting human rights. He particularly emphasized respect for women's and children's rights. He furthermore asked the villagers of Monogaga to educate their children regardless of their gender and to report any cases of rape and violence against women and girls to the authorities.



At the end of the different presentations, participants who were interested in the Joint Poverty Reduction Programme asked Barthélémy Assémian, the officer of that institution how to apply for projects, how to get the funding and how their village can benefit in general from the Programme.



Diane Daligou, a resident of Monogaga welcomed the presence of UNOCI in her village. "I have learned a lot from your presence. Now I know about women and children's rights," she said.