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)
Cote d’Ivoire (June 2015)
In its discussion of the expected report and mandate renewal of the UN peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), the Council should include a provision in the mandate that requests the mission take fully into account gender as a cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate, as well as has robust gender expertise by appointing gender advisers (SCR 2106, OP 8; SCR 2122, OP 4). Further, in the context of forthcoming elections, the Council should ensure that UNOCI has the mandate to provide electoral assistance, including by actively engaging with international, national and local partners in supporting, through technical, financial and other means, the full, effective and equal participation of women at all levels as voters, candidates and in the design and management of electoral processes. Further, given the ongoing challenges related to accountability and national reconciliation, women and women’s civil society organizations should continue to be engaged by the mission, and a gender perspective should be applied to all relevant activities, including any efforts to address the continuing impunity for sexual and gender-based violence. In addition, the Council should inquire into progress made as to women’s participation in DDR programs, including the socio-economic factors affecting female ex-combatants and associates of ex-combatants. The Security Council should also promote women’s full participation and protection in security sector and judicial sector reform, as well as land reform, per SCR 2122 (OP 4).
Relevant Resources
