The First Lady, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, inaugurated the women’s ''Safe Home'' in Adiake, on Thursday April 10, 2025. More than a simple inauguration ceremony, this event marks a milestone in Mrs Dominique Ouattara's long-standing commitment to defending the cause of mothers and children. The ceremony, which took place on the premises of the brand-new center, witnessed the participation of a number of personalities, renowned artists and the people of Adiake, who turned out in large numbers.
The “Safe Home” for women in Adiake is an initiative launched by the First Lady through the Childrenn Of Africa Foundation. At the Foundation's 8th gala dinner, the wife of the Head of State raised funds for two major projects, namely the reconstruction of a reception center for destitute children, and a center to receive abused women. The new center, designed as a warm refuge and place of support, symbolizes the First Lady's unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting children and women who are victims of gender-based violence. The new center has 100 beds for women and 12 beds for children, a medical-legal service, a training center, a library, a refectory, a multi-purpose room, a computer room, sports facilities and leisure areas. It is built on a 2-hectare site bordering the lagoon. Thanks to its capacity, “Safe Home” will become one of the largest reception centers for abused women in Africa.
Donations worth 170 million F CFA for residents
To ensure the smooth running of the center, the First Lady also donated two (2) vehicles, food and non-living items worth 15 million F CFA to the residents. Concerned about the well-being of her sisters, the wife of the Head of State also offered equipment and materials to strengthen the activities of local women in sectors such as agriculture, commerce, catering and hairdressing. She also donated equipment and materials for the region's schools, colleges and high schools, as well as to youth organizations and disabled women. The value of these donations is estimated at 150 million F CFA. In addition to these material donations, the First Lady also donated12 million F CFA to the local population. In other words, the First Lady’s donation to the local population is about 170 million F CFA. The First Lady also raise the FAFCI amount in the region with an additional 200 million FCFA. This amount brings the total FAFCI available in the region to 3 billion F CFA. This additional FAFCI contribution will enable women in Adiake and female GBV victims to become self-sufficient and start income-generating activities.
In her speech, the First Lady stressed the importance of the center in her fight to promote women’s right. Indeed, this center reinforces her social commitment to women and children wellbeing. “Today, we are inaugurating women’s ''Safe Home'' in Adiake, which reinforces our actions in the social sector, providing for women not only a refuge but also a springboard towards a better future. This facility is a clear response to a very real problem, which we addressed at the Children of Africa Foundation's 8th Gala Dinner”, said Dominique Ouattara. The implementation of the foundation’s major projects was really important for Mrs Dominique Ouattara, as they affect the well-being of women and children. “During the charity event we hosted, we were able to raise the funds needed to rebuild our children shelter, which we inaugurated last year, and to build a center for abused women, which we are inaugurating today. These two major projects were of the utmost importance to me, as they contribute to improve the lives the of women and children, who have always been at the heart of my social commitment”, said Dominique Ouattara. For the wife of the President of the Republic, this center reflects her desire and commitment to work for the protection and empowerment of women. “This center, which we are inaugurating today in Adiake, will provide each woman staying there with: secure accommodation, psychological and medical care, and legal assistance towards social and professional reintegration,” explained Mrs Dominique Ouattara. The First Lady concluded by calling for a shared commitment to putting an end to gender-based violence. “I would like to conclude by emphasizing that the inauguration of the Adiake Safe Home for Women is a major step forward in the fight against gender-based violence. But our involvement doesn't stop there, because together we must continue to work to ensure that no woman is ever again a victim of violence, and that each and every one of our sisters can live in safety and fulfillment. This is how we will protect our sisters and preserve our daughters from all forms of gender-based violence”, concluded Mrs Dominique Ouattara.
Alarming data on violence against women in Côte d'Ivoire
The opening of the new reception center for women victims of violence is a ray of hope, according to Mrs Nassénéba Touré, Minister for Women, the Family and Children. She pointed out that violence against women in Côte d'Ivoire takes many different forms, divided into eight categories: physical violence, sexual violence, rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), early or forced marriage, psychological violence, deprivation of resources and digital violence (or cyber-violence). For the year 2024, the national monitoring system recorded 9,607 cases of gender-based violence (GBV). These figures include 920 rapes, 2,030 cases of physical violence, 25 cases of FGM, 153 forced marriages, 287 sexual assaults, 1,798 cases of psychological violence and 4,394 cases of denial of resources.
Ms Cécile Compaoré Zougrana, Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), recalled the results of the 2021 Demographic and Health Survey. According to this study, 30% of women aged between 15 and 49 who had been married or in a relationship reported having suffered physical, sexual or emotional violence. A proportion she considers still far too high. She stressed that these figures reflect a painful reality, behind which lie shattered lives, calling for collective mobilization. She praised the Ivorian government's initiatives, made possible thanks to collaboration between the Ministry for Women and its partners. “Thanks to these coordinated actions, clear progress are being observed”, she said.
Among these advances, she highlighted the opening of the women’s center in Adiake, which she sees as an important step. “This center is a powerful symbol, a model for the country and even for the entire sub-region. By pooling our efforts, expertise and resources, we can duplicate this success elsewhere and build a society where no woman suffers violence in silence,” she concluded.
