The Celebration of World Day Against Child Labor: First Lady Dominique Ouattara calls for intensified efforts

Côte d’Ivoire celebrated the 24th edition of World Day Against Child Labor On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Espace Latrille Events in Deux-Plateaux. The official ceremony, presided over by the First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, Chair of the National Oversight Committee (CNS), brought together numerous political, diplomatic, religious, traditional figures, and technical and financial partners as well.

Established in 2002 by the International Labor Organization (ILO), this year’s World Day Against Child Labor focused on the theme: “Progress is visible, but there is much more to be done: let’s accelerate our efforts!”

In her speech, First Lady Dominique Ouattara highlighted the progress made in recent years thanks to bold action by the government and its partners in four key areas: prevention, child protection, improving community living conditions, and cracking down on traffickers. She highlighted the extensive awareness campaigns that have reached more than 4 million people, the construction of thousands of school facilities, and the reception centers in Soubré and Ferkessédougou built by the Children of Africa Foundation to care for child victims of trafficking and exploitation.

In terms of law enforcement, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara welcomed the adoption of specific laws and the strengthening of police brigades and labor inspections, which have led to the arrest of more than 3,000 traffickers, 333 of whom have been sentenced to prison terms.

An ambitious new national plan

Aware that the path to the total eradication of child labor remains fraught with challenges, the First Lady recalled the launch, on June 4, of the fourth National Action Plan 2025-2029, with a budget of 165 billion CFA francs. According to the President of the CNS, this plan aims to consolidate achievements, strengthen the traceability of cocoa and export crops, and ensure the sustainability of agricultural supply chains. The First Lady welcomed the establishment of a technical coordination committee for the national sustainable cocoa strategy, as well as the effectiveness of the Child Labor Observation and Monitoring System (SOSTECI), which has already identified and taken care of more than 30,000 children.

The First Lady’s renewed commitment

Addressing all the stakeholders, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara expressed her conviction that the elimination of child labor is an achievable goal if mobilization remains constant. “Eliminating child labor in our country is possible, and to do so we must remain vigilant and mobilized. I reaffirm my commitment and determination to combat this scourge, for the future of the children living in our country, with the help of all our partners,” she concluded.

Adama Kamara, Minister of Employment and Social Protection and Chair of the Interministerial Committee to Combat Trafficking, Exploitation, and Child Labor (CIM), thanked the First Lady for her tireless effort in promoting children’s rights. In his view, the wife of the Head of State has been instrumental in driving the fight against child labor through her commitment and leadership. “You are the one who has got the most positive impact on the lives of children and women,” he said.  He went on to praise the major efforts that have enabled the country to make significant progress in the fight against child labor. He concluded by calling for synergy of action among all stakeholders involved in the fight to eradicate child labor once and for all.

Ms. Mariana Stirbu and Ms. Coumba Diop, respectively Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Côte d’Ivoire and Director of the ILO Country Office in Côte d’Ivoire, successively praised the significant progress made by the country thanks to the actions undertaken by the Government and the First Lady.