Abidjan, 28 April 2010... The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Y. J. Choi, on Wednesday, underlined the central role which should be entrusted to women in the Ivorian electoral process.

Speaking during a meeting to exchange views and information with female members of civil society organizations and political parties, Mr. Choi, who presided over the meeting, deplored the fact that few Ivorian women participate in decision-making related to the crisis-resolution process. He encouraged them to participate in the electoral process "as voters and candidates".

The Chief of UNOCI's Gender Unit, Eva Dalak, earlier explained that the encounter was a prelude to the organization of an International Open Day on the theme: "Women's perspectives in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and post-crisis reconstruction". "Today we are here to share our views with the Special Representative and to see how we can facilitate women's participation and representation in conflict resolution, post-crisis reconstruction and social cohesion," she said.

For her part, the Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Fatima Maiga, stressed the need to transform the leadership role of Ivorian women. She welcomed the dialogue of collective demand - a "platform" which she believed can carry women's voices in Côte d'Ivoire.

Sixty representatives of political parties and Groups of Women Leaders who took part in the meeting, at the headquarters of the UN mission, assessed the Security Council's Resolution 1325. Noting that the failure to apply the national action plan, the women asked for Mr. Choi's support for an effective implementation of the main areas, as defined in the plan. This is reinforcing women's participation in the decision-making process, the protection of women and girls against violence, the inclusion of gender perspective in political issues and development programmes and the participation of women and men in the national reconstruction and reintegration process.

Responding to questions, Mr. Choi advised the women to be patient saying that the Security Council will take a decision in June.

Mr. Choi had a frank and open discussion with women during which he methodically explained to them UNOCI's role in the crisis-resolution process and electoral process in accordance with the Ouagadougou Political Agreement as well as certification.