Côte D’Ivoire: Marie-Paule Djegue Okri, Winner of The Simone De Beauvoir Prize for Women’s Freedom 2024

Ivorian Marie-Paule Djegue Okri, an Afro-feminist dedicated to the economic empowerment of women, has been awarded the 2024 Simone de Beauvoir Prize for Women’s Freedom. Her advocacy for gender equality in workplace relations and for equal rights in inheritance and property matters has gained global recognition. Her outstanding leadership on women’s rights issues has earned her this prestigious accolade.

Trained as an agronomist and working as a consultant in agroecology, Marie-Paule Djegue Okri co-founded the Ivorian League for Women’s Rights in 2020.

 Since then, she has devoted herself to the cause of women, assisting them in establishing income-generating activities in rural areas.

These activities have enabled mothers to educate their children, creating a virtuous circle of empowerment.

According to the jury that selected her, the laureate’s actions are rooted in Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophy, which places the idea that «through the centuries, women’s fate is closely tied to private property; for the most part, her history is intertwined with that of inheritance».

The Simone de Beauvoir Prize for Women’s Freedom was established by Julia Kristeva in 2008, following an international conference held in Paris to commemorate the centenary of Simone de Beauvoir (January 9, 1908 – April 14, 1986).

The prize honors individuals, associations, or works that defend women’s freedom in areas such as education, law, and employment.

Yann ETERNEL