As part of its local sensitisation activities, a delegation of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and local partners, such as the Ivorian Human Rights League and NGOs « Espoir et vie » and ‘’Kouadi’’ had an exchange of information session on 8 March 2016, with people in Méantouo, a locality situated some 12 kilometres from Zouan Hounien, in the extreme west of Côte d’Ivoire.

The head of the UN delegation, Hélène Sylvie Zomahoun, seized the occasion of the celebration of International Women’s Day to recall the important role that women play in society and the place they should be accorded in order to contribute to strengthening social cohesion and consolidating peace.

« Your women should participate actively in decision-making in order to restore peace and development in your village », she advised. She then urged men to avoid using violence against their wives and give them the opportunity to contribute to building a fair and balanced society.

The fight against female genital mutilations and conjugal violence, land rights and female inheritance, women’s participation in economic and social life, women’s involvement in strengthening social cohesion, birth registration were among the topics discussed by the UN delegation,its partners and the people of Meantouo.

We must work in close collaboration with our women for the development of our village.

The president of women in Méantouo, Marie Gueu, expressed her joy and that of her fellow women at the fact that their village was chosen for sensitisation session. « We thank UNOCI because today we understand the level of our importance in society. We are going to fully play our role in contributing to peace by fighting against female genital mutilation and all forms of violence against women, » she said.

Speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, Lambert Gonto, the chief of Koulinlé nord which regroups 37 villages, expressed his satisfaction at the richness and informative nature of the session. « Thanks to you, we now understand that we must work in close collaboration with our women for the development of our village. We will do everything we can to ensure that their rights are respected and that they become more involved in decision-making for lasting development », he said.