On Thursday, March 19, the city of Korhogo marked an important step in social dialogue with the launch of the "Poro Media Forum" . Organized by the Association of Men and Women in Poro Media (AHFM-Poro), this first edition highlighted a major player in development: UNICEF .

An unfiltered overview of childhood in the North

As the guest of honor at this baptism of fire, Jean-François Basse , UNICEF Resident Representative in Côte d'Ivoire, outlined the contrasting realities on the ground. While progress is visible, the "arc of vulnerability" (Bagoué, Poro, Tchologo, Bounkani) remains under close surveillance.

The key figure: Approximately 2.3 million children are still out of school nationwide, a problem that hits northern regions particularly hard.

Concrete progress on several fronts

UNICEF's intervention, in support of the priorities of the Ivorian State, is based on four major pillars:

1. Education & Integration: Beyond building classrooms and distributing kits, innovation is key. Mobile schools and digital content allow access to remote areas, while the Vocational Qualification Certificate (CQM) offers a second chance to young people who have dropped out of school.
2. Health & Nutrition: Strengthening medical technical platforms and intensively combating malnutrition (particularly in Tchologo and Bounkani) remain vital priorities for the survival of mothers and children.
3. Child Protection: Despite the digitization of civil status to facilitate birth registration, Jean-François Basse stressed the need to break the cycle of impunity regarding violence and exploitation of minors.
4. Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH): The decline in open defecation is progressing. The installation of boreholes and solar-powered mini-pumps is modernizing access to drinking water, although community involvement remains the essential key to the sustainability of these infrastructures.

A new strategic meeting

In closing the discussions, the UNICEF representative commended the strength of the Ivorian institutional framework. This first "Poro Media Forum" has now established itself as a vital bridge between international institutions and local journalists, ensuring greater visibility for the challenges related to child well-being in Côte d'Ivoire.