The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Saturday, 15 November 2014, took part in the official commemoration of the National Day of Peace with the Ivorian Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children, Mrs Anne Désiré Oulotto at the Institut Polytechnique in Yamoussoukro.



During celebrations for the 18th anniversary of the Day, which has been commemorated in Côte d'Ivoire since 1996, women from the 32 regions of the country, from different works of life, political parties and religious denominations mobilised to promote the consolidation of peace in their country on 14 and 15 November 2014.

Speaking during the celebrations, the Special Representative stressed the importance of the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Mrs Mindaoudou said that in « Côte d'Ivoire, women had paid a heavy price during the crisis, so they want to increase their participation in the consolidation of peace ». She noted that « the initiative of the Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children comes at a time when the international community is assessing the impact of Resolution 1325 and its implementation ». In addition, the head of UNOCI expressed the hope that "the experience of women in Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the leadership and determination of their Government that has made their involvement, protection and independence one of its priorities, can be shared so that the rest of the world can take inspiration from it".



She reiterated « the determination of the United Nations and UNOCI to continue to accompany activities to promote and protect women". Mrs Mindaoudou also welcomed the involvement of the resident representative of UN Women, Marie Goretti Nduwayo and highlighted the specific mandate of the United Nations agency, which is to promote sexual equality and women's independence, and whose mission is to accompany states in drawing up gender policies, standards and norms and support their implementation.



For her part, the Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children, Mrs Anne Désiré Oulotto, thanked participants and guests for their commitment and presence at the event, which included sensitisation and a panel discussion whose recommendations were read to all those present, including international and national dignitaries. The Lord Chancellor of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs Henriette Dagri Diabaté, encouraged the women to implement the resolutions which came from the panel.



The aim of the panel was to sensitise women in order to encourage them to become involved in the reconciliation and consolidation of peace process and also to become better acquainted with the contents of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and its national action plan. Two themes were discussed by the panel ; « Political impact on social cohesion » and « Women as architects of peace ».