On the occasion of the official ceremony marking the 49th International Women’s Rights Day on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Abobo, Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, called for a fairer justice system for women and girls.

She emphasized that promoting women’s rights remains essential for ensuring equity, justice, and sustainable development in the country.

Dominique Ouattara also stressed the need to provide young girls with better access to education, vocational training, and economic opportunities. She reaffirmed her determination to tirelessly combat all forms of gender-based violence.

For her part, Nassénéba Touré, Minister of Women, Family, and Children, praised the notable legal advances achieved in favor of gender equality. She highlighted several major reforms, including the Constitution of the Third Republic, which enshrines the principle of equality for all citizens, the 2019 parity law requiring a minimum of 30% women on electoral lists, and the 2015 law making schooling compulsory for children aged 6 to 16.

Kandia Camara, President of the Senate and Mayor of Abobo, called for better dissemination of laws related to women’s rights, particularly regarding inheritance and land issues, as well as for bringing judicial services closer to rural areas.

Meanwhile, Hélène Ngarim-Ganga, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Côte d’Ivoire, urged national actors to turn words into concrete actions so that every woman can fully exercise her rights and actively contribute to the nation’s development.