Women leaders of political parties (power and opposition) discussed this afternoon, during a lunch on dialogue, at the headquarters of UN Women Cocody.

Less than ten days before the presidential election of October 31, 2020, the socio-political situation in Côte d'Ivoire remains very tense. Aware of the need to work tirelessly for peace and dialogue for peaceful elections, UN Women organized a meeting lunch on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, with women from the political parties in power and the opposition, at the headquarters of the Côte d'Ivoire UN Women Office, located in Cocody Abidjan.

This meeting, of women from the most representative political parties in Côte d'Ivoire, was chaired for more than 2 hours by Célestine Zanou, Head of Delegation of the Onufemmes mission.

Read also: Ivory Coast, 120 messengers on a pacification mission for the 2020 presidential election

Because we have seen that in this electoral process, where everything has become delicate, women must play their part
“We organized a lunch with women of all political stripes from Côte d'Ivoire to discuss the situation. Because we have seen that in this electoral process, where everything has become delicate, women must play their part. United Nations Resolution 1325 and the African Union's Femwise network have become aware of the fact that women must be involved in electoral processes to bring the message of peace ”, explained Célestine Zanou, Head of the mission's delegation. Unwomen.

"It is in dialogue, consultation that we have to overcome them" and "they agree that dialogue is a necessity, today, for the elections to be appeased."
Indicating, moreover, that trials are part of life, but "it is in dialogue, consultation that must be overcome" and "they agree that dialogue is a necessity, today, so that the elections are appeased. ”



Minister Euphrasie Yao Kouassi, Crea-Paix mediator and member of civil society, welcomed the meeting between her sisters who had come to talk about peace. These women from the sub-region (Célestine Zanou from Benin, former candidate for the presidential elections in Benin, Diyé Ba from Mauritania and former minister; Marie Madeleine Kalala from the DRC Congo and former minister and Marie-Louise Baricako from the Republic of Burundi and member of the Femwise network) says the mediator, came to remind them that they are mothers.

Read also: Ivory Coast: "The memory of the victims and survivors of 2010 invites us to choose peace", Minister Euphrasie Yao

"For me, it's a big day for my whole life," says the gender expert. According to her, where men cannot unite to defend Côte d'Ivoire, women politicians will now be able to come together to defend the country. “With these great ladies, it's a new beginning. And, we will get there ... ”, hopes Minister Euphrasie Yao.

The ministers and responsible Rhdp were present: Kandia Camara, Aimée Zebeyoux, Odette Yao Yao. For the opposition parties, Odette Lorougnon (Fpi), Léopoldine Tiezan Coffie (Pdci-Rda), Danielle Boni Claverie (Urd) etc.

UN Women is a United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Its aim is to accelerate progress in meeting their needs around the world. This UN entity in Côte d'Ivoire has undertaken, since 2019, a support program for women for peaceful elections in 2020.

Magloire Madjessou