The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, on Saturday, 10 August 2013, took part in a ceremony to promote women's access to the decision-making process in Côte d'Ivoire. The ceremony was organised by the Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children, Mrs Anne Ouloto.



Speaking at the event, the Special Representative said that in Sub-Saharan Africa « women represent 70% of the agricultural force and they produce 90% of all food ; yet they remain marginalised in most sectors of public life ». Noting the progress made by Côte d'Ivoire since the ratification of the Convention for the Elimination Discrimination Against Women of 1995, Mrs Mindaoudou said that there was still a lot to be done.



The Special Representative seized the opportunity provided by the meeting to « reaffirm my personal commitment, that of UNOCI and the United Nations to accompany the Ivorian authorities in ensuring the full participation of women in socio-politics ».



The Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children, Mrs Anne Ouloto said « on behalf of the Government and all Ivorian women, I would like to express my profound gratitude to the United Nations and the World Bank for their constant support ».



At the end of the event, Mrs Mindaoudou was nominated Ambassadeur for the Promotion of Gender.