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Côte D'Ivoire
Children are greatly affected by the post-conflict challenges faced by Côte d'Ivoire, including their right to education, protection, health and nutrition. Half the children under five suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition (2006). 172,000 children under five years die every year from malaria. The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, currently estimated at 4.7 percent, is lower than previously thought, but is believed to be much higher in the war-affected areas. 74,000 children under 15 are currently living with HIV/Aids, and 450,000 are Aids orphans1 and risk to suffer discrimination.
Education
Although school is compulsory until the age of 15, enrolment rates are low - only 55 percent in 2006.2 The quality of education has worsened since the beginning of the civil conflict. The retention rate is 52 percent and absenteeism of children can be quite high. Children have few opportunities to participate in school decisions.
Violence
Boys and girls, educated or uneducated, poor or rich, are psychologically or physically abused on a daily basis, in both urban and rural areas, in their homes, by teachers and other school staff.3 Children accused of being possessed by demons are subject to abuse by evangelical priests in the form of chaining, flogging and several days of fasting to exhort the bad spirits.4
Children are likely to witness violence as there is a general acceptance of domestic violence within the Ivorian society. Children may also be killed if they have a disability or because of traditional beliefs. In 2007, 201 minors were held in prison, mostly together with adults. They suffer from poor detention conditions and violence at the hands of staff and other detainees.5
Girls' rights
A large number of children were sexually violated by armed forces during the war. Sexual violence continues to be signalled throughout the country,6 but impunity has prevailed so far. Girls as young as 14 years are married off against the law. Approximately one third of women and girls are excised despite severe laws against female genital mutilation. 69% of the women interviewed in a survey do not want to continue the practice as it is perceived as a bad tradition and the cause of medical problems.7
Working children
Children are trafficked8 from rural to urban areas, from north to south and across borders for forced agricultural, domestic and sexual work. 35 per cent of children aged 5 to 14 work in family-run businesses or on rural family farms. 83.5 percent of all child workers toil in hazardous conditions, mostly in the agricultural sector - on cocoa farms, in coffee, cotton, pineapple and rubber plantations. Many domestic workers, mostly girls, have migrated from the rural areas or from neighbouring countries. Working conditions are harsh and exploitation is common. While no children are currently (2010) known to be active soldiers, many are believed to still be working for combatants, by cooking, cleaning and running errands.9
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Every Last Child Country Spotlight: Cote D'Ivoire
Save the Children is campaigning at an international and national level to achieve the greatest impact for children with the Every Last Child Campaign. This briefing presents research on excluded in children in Cote D’Ivoire. Read the full Every Last Chil
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Child Protection in Emergencies Facts and Figures
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The West African Giveaway: Use & abuse of corporate tax incentives in ECOWAS
This report examines corporate tax incentives and their impact in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with a focus on four countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal. ActionAid and Tax Justice Network Africa’s research shows
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Livelihoods at the limit: Reducing the risk of disasters and adapting to climate change. Evidence from the consolidated Household Economy Analysis database
This report draws on the compiled Household Economy Analysis dataset and analysis tools to answer some of the most pressing questions about disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in a range of livelihood contexts:- Which single shock has th
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UNICEF Briefing paper on Children working in West and Central Africa
This briefing paper focuses on children in the Sahelian countries, who are enrolled in Qur’anic schools and beg as part of this education. In this region, Islamic education predates colonization and the establishment of mission and secular state schools.
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Atelier des experts sur la formation des agents des forces de sécurité aux droits de l'enfant en Afrique francophone
Report from a 5-day workshop held in Dakar, Senegal, 19-23 September 2011, organised by the International Bureau for Children's Rights (IBCR) in collaboration with UNICEF and Save the Children Sweden. The workshop brought together some forty international
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Becoming a human rights friendly school: A Guide for schools around the world
The Human Rights Friendly Schools project aims to empower young people and promote the active participation of all members of the school community in integrating human rights values and principles into all areas of school life. The project is founded on t
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Hidden survivors: Sexual Violence against Children in Conflict
Sexual violence is one of the most horrific crimes committed during conflict. Save the Children's new briefing outlines the extent of the issue and the steps needed to put an end to these crimes against children.
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Internal Displacement in West Africa: A Snapshot
This paper offers an overview of internal displacement in the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) region—which consists of 15 countries—including displacement resulting from conflict, generalized violence and human rights violations; natura
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Protecting Children from Violence Globally
These case studies demonstrate the impact Save the Children activities and programmes have had in protecting children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. The case studies specifically highlight the areas of focus of the Child Protection Initia