Introduction 

As is customary, March 8th is reserved for the celebration of women’s rights. However, as the place of women in modern society varies according to culture, country and individual circumstances, this article takes the opportunity of International Women’s Rights Day to take stock of this celebration in Africa, identifying its origins, and then analysing the situation of women in Africa, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire.

Origin of International Women’s Rights Day and its celebration in Africa

International Women’s Rights Day has its origins in the labour movements of the early 20th century and was officially recognized by the United Nations on March 8, 1977. The day is also celebrated in Africa, with various events and initiatives organized in countries across the continent to highlight the specific challenges faced by African women, and to promote their empowerment and rights. These events often include demonstrations, conferences, workshops, awareness-raising campaigns and advocacy actions focusing on issues such as access to education, reproductive health, equal opportunities in the workplace, and the fight against gender-based violence. Each year, a specific theme is set by the UN. For 2024, the theme was “Investing in women: accelerating the pace”. The aim is to remove one of the main obstacles to achieving gender equality by 2030, namely the issue of financing.

The Situation of Women in Africa: Côte d’Ivoire’s Case

The situation of women in Africa presents both progress and challenges. Many African countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire, have adopted laws and policies aimed at combating discrimination and gender-based violence, improving access to education and health care, and increasing women’s participation in political and economic life. However, as elsewhere in Africa, gender inequalities persist at many levels in Côte d’Ivoire. Indeed, according to statistics from the May 2023 report provided by the Côte d’Ivoire Ministry for Women, the Family and Children, in the Ivorian public administration, women are poorly represented among civil servants (35.37%). In the institutions of the republic, with a rate of 21.87%, women will represent 1/5 of government members in 2023 (government of former Prime Minister Patrick Achi). In education, at national level, the percentage of girls among primary school pupils is 48.65% and the percentage of women among primary school teachers is 36.02%. In terms of access to economic resources, the representation rate of women in the Côte d’Ivoire labour market is increasing and satisfactory. In 2022, 51% of women will be in the workforce, compared with 46% in 2021. However, more needs to be done if we are to reach the level of male participation in the labour market (81% in 2022).

Conclusion 

In recent years, several African countries have become involved in promoting women’s rights and gender equality. In Côte d’Ivoire, initiatives in favour of women’s rights and gender equality are central to the government’s priorities. However, gender inequalities persist in many areas. On the other hand, although much remains to be done to achieve gender equality, African women have made notable progress. Many African women are resilient and play a crucial role in the development of their communities and countries.