In 2014, women in the department of Niellé, conscious of the fact that it was only by working together that they can make a difference, decided to put their efforts together in order to have economic success.



One year later, they are celebrating this decision in an ambiance of sisterhood in the public square of this cosmopolitan sous-precfecture, situated at more than 680 kilometres north of Abidjan, under the administrative leadership of the Prefect of the Department de Ouangolodougou, Sihindou Coulibaly and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Aichatou Mindaoudou.



It was to the sound of the balafon (a musical instrument), drums and singing that the Special Representative was welcomed to the event which took place on Tuesday, 28 April 2015 in Niellé. The ceremony marked the official launch of the activities carried out by the women of agricultural cooperative known as Wôwela, meaning in the local language "I can take care of myself". The women of Niéllé, who considered themselves "sisters" of the Special Representative openly showed their joy and pleasure at the fact that their "dream" had become a reality.



"Fotamanan", "Wolotchéboritchaw", Aïchatou ! You really are our sister ! The word « thank you is really not enough to show how grateful we are to you. Despite your many commitments, you spared no effort in ensure that you are with us today. This is the first time that a Special Representatiove has visted us, » said the president of the Administrative Council of the Women's Cooperative, Mrs Ouattara Djodiama Marie Claire.

Mrs Ouattara then gave a presentation on the work of the cooperative which brings together 26 women's groups from the agricultural sector.



According to the president, the aim of the cooperative WOWÊLA is to encourage women to take charge of their destiny, strengthen their capacity and ensure that the play an important role along with their men to improve the living conditions of their families so that everyone is able to contribute to the harmonious development of the region , the department, the Sous-préfecture and the commune. « Men have no reason to be afraid of our cooperative because oour intention is not to replace men but to complement them in order to have a balance with regard to the cooperatives and strengthen social and economic cohesion within the family», explained Mrs Ouattara, adding that women would then be able to take theior rightful place in the rebuilding and reconciliation of the Ivorian nation.



Mrs Ouattara outlined certain difficulties and challenges that the face to UNOCI, especially technical constraints regarding traditional agriculture, difficulty accessing material, lack of storage facilities and machinery needed to transform their produce into finished or semi-finished products.

The Special Representative congratulated the women of Niéllé and encouraged them to persevere in their union, understanding and cohesion.



« By creating your cooperative you have shown that you are capable of overcoming any challenges. I advise you to make contact with other women in your sous-préfecture and continue on this path! » . "The fact that so many of you have attended this ceremony is proof that there is social cohesion in your community. This would not have been possible without everyone's commitment and personal and individual attachment to peace and national reconciliation," said Mrs Mindaoudou, who then recalled UNOCI's role in this regard. "Our role here in Côte d'Ivoire, as I'm sure you already know, is to accompany Ivorian authorities and all Ivorians in strengthening peace and social cohesion. In order to fulfil our mission we ensure that we go wherever we can meet Ivorians and their communities," she added.



The Head of UNOCI called on the women of Niellé to play their role with regard to the creation of a peaceful environment, before, during and after the elections while at the same time promoting women's participating in politics. She promised them she would talk to UN agencies with regard to some to the needs they had outlined.



The Prefect, Mr. Sinhindou Coulibaly, for his part, appealed to the women to continue to promote reconciliation whatever their political beliefs. "Let's make living together peacefully a reality today more than ever. I urge you to make peace and strengthen social cohesion," he added.



The ceremony ended with an impressive parade by the 610 members of the 26 women's groups which make up the cooperative as well as girls from the Secondary Modern School in Niellé.