Sunset in Cote d'Ivoire

October 15, 2010

00:00 am, beginning of campaign in Cote d’Ivoire. I am not politically involved in what is going on in my country. It is not because I do not care, or do not know anything happening all over the country; I am just not passionate. At times I don’t want to know what is going on but I can’t help. News will come from everywhere.

9:30, I have a chance to walk outside just 10mn: The capital is noisy, meetings here and there, new signboards displaying promises, engagement messages, solutions, programs, tee-shirt distribution to whoever want it, prospectus thrown from helicopter or cars… you will think celebration of national victory over poverty… nope nothing of such it is just campaign for election taking place 31st October. I started feeling uneasy, I know the majority of all candidates’ history or political (party) views, their ambitions for the country is almost the same to me and I was not really interested in what they had to say. I felt like going back to work; as I was reversing, my eyes glanced at the pictures freshly posted in the street I was walking in and what I saw that morning put a smile on my face. I first saw Her picture then Her name and I read the answer of what I am fighting for: Jacqueline Oblé independent candidate. I felt a quick and short warm in my heart. How come I did not know a woman was part of them? Why didn’t I hear her talking about it before? But it does not matter whether I knew or not! She is our former first woman General Attorney, no wonder she has the courage to say I want to rule and I praise her for that, I admire her and I am so excited.

Jacqueline Oblé, is candidate for the presidential seat in Côte d’Ivoire. Just when we turned 50 years of independence, just when I decided to participate in Voices of Our Future, a woman is bold enough to add her voice to decisions in Côte d’Ivoire.

I am not sure her voice is heard; I am not sure she will be elected or get 10%, 30%, 65%, but I am sure of one thing: it is the beginning, the sun is not shining yet, women have not achieved it yet but it is the beginning, the sunset… I do not care if she wins or not. I am happy she is there today and it is a step, a big step in the history of my dear country.
It may take more years, may be another 50, but one day we will get there, one day Côte d’Ivoire will see different women, ready for their future, deciding and speaking for themselves. And as we are working towards that, I will continue my way through WorldPulse, learning, sharing and leading other women here to build together our dream.