Tiemelekro: The CNS raises awareness among the population for school holidays free of child labor

The National Committee for the Monitoring of Actions to Combat Trafficking, Exploitation, and Child Labor (CNS), in partnership with the Town Hall of Tiémelekro, organized a large-scale awareness campaign against child labor. Under the theme " let's say NO to child labor during school holidays!", this initiative brought together students, teachers, parents, administrative authorities, traditional leaders, and community leaders in the town hall.

This campaign aims to improve the understanding of the various stakeholders on the types of hazardous work prohibited for children under the age of 18, and then to strengthen community vigilance against child exploitation practices, which generally increase during school breaks.

The CNS delegation, led by Mr. Amani Michel Ange, national consultant responsible for combating child labor in the Office of the First Lady, led several interactive awareness-raising sessions. Through discussions, educational games, and screenings, the young participants were taught the difference between hazardous work and light work aimed at socialization.

In his speech, Mr. Amani Michel Ange reiterated the crucial issues involved in the fight against child labor, highlighting the strategic importance of cocoa for the Ivorian economy. As the world's leading producer, Côte d'Ivoire was threatened with an embargo on its exports due to the persistence of child labor in the production chain. Faced with this situation, President Alassane Ouattara, upon taking office in 2011, made this issue a national priority. He then established the National Monitoring Committee (CNS), entrusted to the humanitarian expertise of the First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara.

Mr. Amani Michel Ange praised the many initiatives undertaken by the First Lady, both nationally and internationally. He highlighted the awareness campaigns she organized throughout the country, as well as her advocacy with international partners such as the United States, cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, NGOs, and United Nations agencies. This active diplomacy work has led to significant progress in the fight against child labor. However, he noted that challenges remain, particularly during school holidays. He clarified an important message from the First Lady: "We don’t want to prohibit children from participating in any form of family activities, but rather encourage them to involve into only light, educational, and rewarding tasks that are appropriate for their age." " Finally, he urged all stakeholders—administrative authorities, local elected officials, parents, and community leaders to become advocates for this awareness campaign in their localities.

Speaking on behalf of the Prefecture of Moronou, Mr. Kouadio Kan, Secretary General of the Prefecture of Bongouanou, representing the Prefect of the Moronou Region, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the commitment of local authorities to support the First Lady in this campaign, which is essential for the future of Ivorian children. He called on the traditional chiefs present to communicate the message to their communities.

Mr. Ettien Yao Germain, representative of the Regional Directorate of National Education and Literacy (DRENA), reiterated that "children should be in school, not on cocoa plantations. School must remain the primary setting for education and excellence. " He assured the full commitment of the DRENA to this fight.

For her part, Dr. Samira Kouadio, Mayor of Tiemelekro, expressed her gratitude to the First Lady for her commitment to children's rights and for choosing her municipality as a stop on this important campaign. At the end of the ceremony, gifts were distributed to the children and participants. These gifts included 300 school kits, 350 T-shirts for adults, 200 T-shirts for children, 400 pens, 6 educational tablets, awareness kits, and 400 notebooks bearing the First Lady's picture. In addition, the Tiemelekro Town Hall received a desktop computer and two boxes of paper, as well as cash support to assist the local population. This campaign is part of the CNS's ongoing efforts, led by Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, to permanently eradicate the scourge of child labor in Côte d'Ivoire. Through these actions, the entire country is committed to ensuring that every child has a protected, fulfilling childhood with a bright future.