Just under a year ago, Côte d’Ivoire went through a severe crisis in the aftermath of the November 2010 Presidential elections. A violent conflict split the country.  An estimated 3,000 people were killed and many more, especially children, were affected by traumatic experiences from violence and abuse.

60 million girls supports Save the Children’s work in Côte d’Ivoire, on a project that has increased 400 girls’ access to a quality education, the renovating and refurbishing of a school, training teachers, and protecting girls from violence affecting their schooling.

In any crisis, children are always the most vulnerable.  Save the Children‘s long-term and country wide presence helped them reach out to children in need and their families.  In a country where children make up over 50% of the population, the resulting impact of displacement and violence against children meant Save the Children’s efforts for children were especially critical.  Save the Children set up an emergency plan to effectively meet the needs of populations affected by the crisis and reached over 1,142,350 children.

Even before the crisis, nearly half of Ivorian families struggled to buy food and ensure children go to school.  Nearly half of Ivorian children aged between 7 and 12 are still not in school, and there are widespread issues of gender-based violence and child marriage.  Save the Children will continue to work to ensure that children can access their basic rights of education, health care, and protection.  They will develop an integrated program with the child in focus, work towards a vision of survival, protection, development and participation for every child.

60 million girls’ contribution will have an important impact on the country’s recovery process, ensuring that girls are protected and have access to quality education.