Celebrated every March 8, International Women’s Day takes on a certain fervor in Côte d’Ivoire from year to year. Ivorian women decide to come together, like almost everywhere in the world, to express their hopes. Above all, we stop considering them as lesser males.
International Women’s Day photo credit Bconnectedto via wikimedia commons
Women in the spotlight
March 8 is the date dedicated to women. In fact, it is the International Women’s Day. Also, in Côte d’Ivoire, the Ivorian government organizes festivities every year in honor of these valiant women who toil at the task. This is why, by putting women in the spotlight during this day, he intends to demonstrate his great concern for women. We can only welcome this. However, beyond the slogans, what is the situation in everyday life?
March 8, a story of loincloth
In the Ivorian administrations, we could see women with loincloths called “March 8 loincloths”. Some had signs on which it was written that humanity owes respect to women. The men in their corner applaud them. But, behind the affectionate features which vein their faces, in the intonations of the words which spring from the crack of their reddened lips, there is an observation which illuminates, like a flare in the night. The living conditions of women across the country are not at all good.
Loincloth of March 8 in Ivory Coast / credit Raissa YAO
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Femicide pandemic
And in fact, we know that household poverty, the terrible ally of women, corrupts homes. A new virus is raging within them. It’s called feminicide.. It is more deadly than covid. Instead of covering oneself in loincloths and doing fitness walks, it would be more judicious for the Ivorian state to devote a little more attention to acts of feminicide in Côte d’Ivoire.
International Women’s Day in Nigeria photo credit Seun231 via wikimedia commons
No concrete action
It is not by wearing a “March 8” loincloth in a public square or by offering a loincloth to one’s domestic help paid below the minimum wage that we will see a notable advance in respect for women’s rights. Indeed, labor laws are quite clear. Even certain categories of women, employed in certain types of jobs, continue to be paid as if they were working illegally.