Yakafissa, a neighbourhood on the periphery of the northern city of Odienné is still having problems with social cohesion due to family and leadership disputes which started some time ago and have often led to human rights violations.



In an effort to improve the situation, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) on Wednesday, 11 September 2013, organised a sensitisation activity on consolidation of social cohesion and respect for human rights with dignitaries from Yakafissa.



The Chief of Yakafissa, Koné Moussa, stressed the importance of the sensitisation session and expressed his satisfaction at the level of interest shown by the participants during their discussions with the UNOCI delegation.



The Bangladeshi Contingent and the Human Rights, Civil Affairs, Public Information and Rule of Law sections of UNOCI, as well as the NGO, Organisation for the Protection of Human Rights took part in the sensitisation session. The different presentations focused on the promotion of human rights, restoration of state authority, respect for the law, the values of peace and reconciliation, and the harmful effects of female genital mutilation.



The 30 dignitaries from Yakafissa who participated in the encounter asked for similar sessions to be organised in order to expand their knowledge and discuss issues of importance to them.