Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire
Currently, Cote D’Ivoire ranks as one of the worst African economies on the Global Gender Gap Index, and despite having ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and implemented a National Action Plan per Resolution 1325, inequality, discrimination and violence against women still persist.
After conflict resurfaced in 2010 in the aftermath of disputed elections, women comprised the majority of conflict-related casualties and displaced persons, and continue to be exposed to greater risk. Women are essential for building sustainable peace in Côte D’Ivoire, as evidenced by the work of women on both sides of the conflict. Attempting to discuss their grievances and move forward together, they continue to be systematically excluded from DDR and SSR processes.
Based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for increased mechanisms to monitor and enforce the implementation of Cote D’Ivoire’s National Action Plan, and to ensure the fair and full inclusion of women in all of the country’s future elections.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Côte d’Ivoire (May 2010)
The upcoming discussion in the Security Council on renewal of the mandate for the United Nations Operation in Cote-d’Ivoire (UNOCI) should focus on women’s participation and empowerment, and on the increasing reports of sexual abuse of girls and women in both the government-controlled south and rebel-held north. Women’s organizations have not been systematically included in peace talks, in DDR programs, nor in other UN-led stabilization processes, and their concerns are not being consistently addressed by the government. Specific entry points for the Council include:
- Clearly prioritizing women’s participation as the country prepares for the pending presidential elections;
- Encouraging the human rights section of UNOCI to increase their monitoring and reporting of any rise in attacks on women, as well as efforts by the government to address same;
- Ensuring judicial reform brings domestic laws into conformity with Côte d’Ivoire’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, including strengthening laws that prohibit sexual violence, domestic violence and uphold women’s right to property, and ensuring resources are available to improve services for survivors;
- Strengthening and implementing programs to address gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence.
The upcoming discussion in the Security Council on renewal of the mandate for the United Nations Operation in Cote-d’Ivoire (UNOCI) should focus on women’s participation and empowerment, and on the increasing reports of sexual abuse of girls and women in both the government-controlled south and rebel-held north. Women’s organizations have not been systematically included in peace talks, in DDR programs, nor in other UN-led stabilization processes, and their concerns are not being consistently addressed by the government. Specific entry points for the Council include:
- Clearly prioritizing women’s participation as the country prepares for the pending presidential elections;
- Encouraging the human rights section of UNOCI to increase their monitoring and reporting of any rise in attacks on women, as well as efforts by the government to address same;
- Ensuring judicial reform brings domestic laws into conformity with Côte d’Ivoire’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, including strengthening laws that prohibit sexual violence, domestic violence and uphold women’s right to property, and ensuring resources are available to improve services for survivors;
- Strengthening and implementing programs to address gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence.
Relevant Resources
