WCAR UNGEI ANNUAL REPORT 2010

HIGHLIGHT COUNTRY: IVORY COAST

UNGEI Global Advisory Committee Meeting (Paris, 31 January 2011)

Reported by: Vanya Berrouet, RFP,

UNICEF WCARO

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE IVORY COAST CONTEXT AS REGARDS EDUCATION Economic slowness due to the political crisis with a negative

impact on the budget allocated to education (4.1% of the GDP) GER of 74% with a gender parity index of .81 (30% of

schoolchildren still out of school with high disparities, girls being in the least favorable position everywhere)

Primary school achievement rate of 59% with a gender parity index of .96

UNGEI network launched in 2006 Adoption in 2009 of a national policy on equal opportunities for

all with the creation of a gender unit in all ministries Adoption of laws against sexual harassment, early marriage,

genital mutilation creating a more protective environment Process engaged for the access of Ivory Coast to EFA/FTI funding Actual gains endangered by the current political crisis!!!

PRIMARY NET ENROLMENT RATES IN IVORY COAST

OUTCOME 1. NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY FRAMEWORKSAssessment Highlights

Key Achievements

•Contribution to the elaboration of FTI documents (2009-2013) for the inclusion of gender equality

• Girl’s Education is integrated into PRSP and Education Medium Term Action Plan(2010-2013) as priority to meet the MDG 2 and 3

•Education 3 year action plans (2010-2013) were designed in 10 districts and 10 departments integrating girl’s education, women literacy and ECD based on memorandum with local government – Municipalities (UVICOCI) and regional authorities Regional Councils (ADDCI)

• Revised girl’s education strategic plan(2010-2011) is available

•An inter-ministerial decree for establishing the UNGEI-CI was submitted for signature (MoE, Family and Social Affairs)

OUTCOME 1. NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY FRAMEWORKSAssessment Highlights

Challenges & Issues Challenges faced in pushing forward the agenda –

•Slowness of governmental counterparts for the signature of legal and normative frameworks and documents.•High turnover rate of Heads of the Direction within the MoE which encompasses the Gender Unit which coordinates the UNGEI network

Issues that persist – •Absence of a line in the national budget to finance actions in favor of the promote girls' education• No coordination and harmonized planning of funded activities by NGOs in relation to gender equality in education•Lack of male participants in UNGEI activities – members are mainly females

Issues that newly emerged: Presidential elections and post electoral crisis

OUTCOME 1. NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY FRAMEWORKSAssessment Highlights

Opportunities & Way forward

The main opportunity is the engagement of the country in education reform in relation to the FTI process.

The way forward:• Joint advocacy with UN gender thematic group

•Follow up of EFA-FTI process (slowed down due to post electoral crisis) and if success follow up implementation

•Implementation of UNGEI-CI network at district and regional level

•Strengthen partnership with local government and regional authorities (UVICOCI/ADDCI)

OUTCOME 2. BEST PRACTICES

Assessment Highlights

Key Achievements •Joint follow up of recommendations of the study on gender based

violence at secondary school in Abidjan and in relation with the regional study

•Creation of special classes for drop out girls in rural areas in northern Ivory Cost allowed the enrollment of 1 150 girls above 9 years old

• Support from school girl’s mothers clubs (CMEF) for girl’s education in rural and sub-urban districts

Challenges & issues • Challenges faced in pushing forward the agenda

•Absence of a communication plan

•Issues that persist•Absence of documentation of actions conducted by UNGEI-CI members

OUTCOME 2. BEST PRACTICES

Assessment Highlights

Opportunities & Way forward

Opportunities•Focus on Equity as for 2010 •Revised Girl’s education plan which focus more on activities related to the promotion of girl’s schooling and education

The way forward•Conduct nationwide study on gender based violence at secondary and primary schools

• Document existing initiatives within the UNGEI network •Set up a communication plan

•Sign MOU with local radios for more visibility and community sensitization

•Monitor more the network members activities

OUTCOME 3. EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP

Assessment Highlights

Key achievements • Partnership with local authorities through support in the

design of 3 years action plans with 10 Districts and 10 Departments

•10 new NGO joined the UNGEI-CI network in 2009-2010

• 70 UNGEI-CI members were trained in gender mainstreaming in planning and activity reporting

•Gender issues and peace building were integrated in new school manuals excluding stereotype against girls by trained school manuals designers

OUTCOME 3. EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPAssessment Highlights

Challenges & issues

• Challenges faced in pushing forward the agenda •Disengagement of UN agencies (UNDP, UNFPA, etc.) •Lack of leadership and coordination of the network•Lack of institutional frame work (inter-ministry decree)

• Issues that persist •Getting government to more commitment to the implementation of girl’s education action plan

• Issues that newly emerged •Advocate and support Girl’s education in emergency

OUTCOME 3. EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPAssessment Highlights

Opportunities & Way forward

Opportunity:•New focus put on emergency preparedness and risk disaster reduction in the WCA region with an attention paid to gender equality•Mobilization of education partners around the FTI processWay forward:•Organize training on girl’s education in emergency

•Advocate to get all partners on board

•Organize the national Girl’s Education Day including advocacy at national and international partners level

•Share information in and out the UNGEI network via website, conferences and local radio and other information channels about gender sensitive issues

THANK YOU