Seminar on Legal and Policy Frameworks

Strengthening Political Participation of Women and Youth in Côte d'Ivoire

On 29–30 July 2026, parliamentarians, institutional representatives, civil society organisations and experts will gather in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, for the seminar "Strengthening the Political Participation of Women and Youth in Côte d'Ivoire: Legal and Policy Frameworks." Organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties project, led by the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) and funded by the European Union, the event marks the official launch of a new national initiative to advance the political participation of women and young people.

Women and youth play a vital role in strengthening democratic governance and building more inclusive political systems. While Côte d'Ivoire has made important progress through legislative reforms and political commitments aimed at increasing their representation, challenges remain regarding the effective implementation of existing legal frameworks, equitable representation in decision-making bodies and the integration of women’s and young people's priorities into public policy. In this context, parliament has a crucial role to play in advancing legislative reforms, exercising oversight and promoting inclusive democratic governance.

The two-day seminar will provide a platform for dialogue between parliamentarians, government institutions, civil society organisations and technical experts to examine the current legal and policy framework governing political participation in Côte d'Ivoire. Through panel discussions, expert presentations and interactive exchanges, participants will explore the institutional, political and socio-cultural barriers that continue to limit the participation of women and young people, while identifying opportunities for reform and inclusive policymaking.

The programme will also showcase comparative experiences and good practices from Côte d'Ivoire and beyond, encouraging participants to reflect on legislative priorities, parliamentary oversight and advocacy strategies that can strengthen inclusive political participation. A particular focus will be placed on fostering collaboration among parliamentarians committed to championing reforms that create more equitable opportunities for women and youth to participate in political life.

Beyond providing a space for knowledge exchange, the seminar aims to lay the foundations for a parliamentary network that will accompany the implementation of the WYDE Political Parties project in Côte d'Ivoire. By bringing together key political and institutional actors at the outset of the initiative, the event seeks to establish shared priorities and a roadmap for future legislative and policy engagement.

Through initiatives such as this, the WYDE Political Parties project continues to support democratic development by strengthening political institutions, promoting the political participation of women and youth, and fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation among political actors across regions.

Event Details

Event: Seminar on Strengthening the Political Participation of Women and Youth in Côte d'Ivoire: Legal and Policy Frameworks
Theme: Political Participation of Women and Youth in Côte d'Ivoire: Challenges and Perspectives
Dates: 29–30 July 2026
Location: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Office, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Organised by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) – Political Dialogue West Africa
Project: WYDE Political Parties – funded by the European Union
Participants: Members of Parliament, senators, representatives of public institutions, civil society organisations, youth and women's organisations, and experts in democratic governance
Main topics: Legal and policy frameworks, inclusive political participation, parliamentary engagement, legislative reform, youth participation, women's political representation and democratic governance.