African Renaissance and Diaspora Network
Ivory Coast intends to step up against gender-based violence at national and regional levels through the Red Card Campaign, a demonstration of solidarity between actors, countries, means and methods.
700 participants took part in the launch of the Red Card Campaign at the Latrille Event Venue in Cocody-Deux-Plateaux, which was organised by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children, in partnership with UNFPA and ARDN.
Opening speakers included Anne Desiree Ouloto, Senior Minister of the Civil Service and Modernization of the Administration, my own self, Cecile Compaore Zoungrana, UNFPA Resident Representative, Philippe Poinsot, UN Resident Coordinator , the President of the Senate, Kandia Camara and Minister of Gender Nasseneba Toure.
In my own opening statement I reiterated the double objectives of the Campaign being to use the convening powers of of Sport and Culture to, on the one hand, strengthen the global movement in favour of the fight against gender-based violence and, on the other hand, promote a change in social behaviour through, among other things, positive masculinity which highlights the importance of making men as allies for the achievement of gender equality and empowerment women and girls.
I also pointed out that the Campaign will be rolled out during a twelve-month period and that it will be linked to the competitions of the African Nations Football Cup that Côte d’Ivoire is hosting from 13 January 2024.
The launch ended with the adoption of a 10 point Ministerial Declaration, called the “Abidjan Declaration” which will be submitted to Heads Of State and Government.
