The African Development Bank Joins Côte d'Ivoire's International Women's Day Celebrations

3 April 2025
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African Development Bank (Abidjan)
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During the month of March, the African Development Bank's Gender and Women Empowerment Division demonstrated the institution's commitment to gender equality and women empowerment by joining several activities organized by the Government of Côte d'Ivoire to mark International Women's Day and Month.

The Bank, headquartered in Cote d'Ivoire's commercial capital Abidjan, joined high-level discussions, took part in a march against gender-based violence, and presented at a state ceremony for International Women's Day ceremony.

Bank Contributions in Abidjan

At a high-level panel in Abidjan to launch the International Women's Day events, Nathalie Gahunga, Manager of the Gender and Women Empowerment Division, highlighted key Bank initiatives, including:

  • AFAWA Initiative: Aimed at addressing the $49 billion funding gap for African women entrepreneurs, AFAWA has unlocked $119.5 million in financing through partner financial institutions In Côte d'Ivoire alone.
  • Women-Led Staple Food Cooperatives Project: A $1.5 million Bank initiative that has provided financing, training, and resources to over 21,300 women.
  • Gender Marker System Dashboard: An online platform that classifies Bank programs based on how they address gender equality and women's empowerment in their objectives and expected outcomes.

During the panel, Gahunga said "Empowering women is not just about fairness; it is about unlocking Africa's full economic potential. When women thrive, economies prosper, and communities are strengthened."

She also highlighted findings from the Africa Gender Index 2023 Analytical Report, co-published by the Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The report assesses the state of gender equality across the continent and concluded that Côte d'Ivoire has made some progress on gender equality since the last assessment in 2019. The Africa Gender Index measures gender gaps in work, education, and leadership. The report makes clear that more needs to be done including increasing women in positions of leadership.

The second edition of the Index gives countries a practical tool to track progress and make better decisions using reliable data. In Cote d'Ivoire, government efforts such as the passing of a law in 2019 requiring 30 percent women's representation in political parties reflect progress. Investments in education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship in Cote d'Ivoire have also created more opportunities for women.

Standing Against Gender-Based Violence: The Citizen's March in Abobo district

As part of its broad advocacy for women's rights, Gahunga and other Bank staff joined 350 people including local leaders and representatives of the government and civil society groups in a march against femicide and violence targeting women in Abidjan's Abobo neighborhood on 1 March. Marchers called for better laws, policies, and community-led solutions to protect women and girls from violence.

A March against gender-based violence took place on March 1 in the Abobo district of Abidjan

Commemoration in Dimbokro

On 8 March, the Bank joined more than 10,000 participants in the Ivorian town of Dimbokro for a national International Women's Day ceremony led by First Lady Dominique Ouattara, and attended by senior government officials, international partners, and civil society leaders.

The event's theme was: "Women's Rights in Côte d'Ivoire: 30 Years After Beijing - Achievements and Strategies for the Future.", In her speech, the First Lady urged, "Together, we must step up efforts to promote women's empowerment, encourage female entrepreneurship, and expand access to technology and training. We must also intensify the fight against gender-based violence, even in the most remote areas."

International Women's Day 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, a historic commitment made during the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women to set a comprehensive agenda for achieving gender equality and empowering women.

Next Steps

As Côte d'Ivoire marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, so too will the African Development Bank continue to partner with governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to expand financing, improve policies, and create more opportunities for women in business, agriculture, and leadership.

Read the original article on African Development Bank (AfDB).

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