Henriette Diabaté
Henriette Diabaté
Henriette Dagri Diabaté is an Ivorian politician and writer. A member of the Rally of the Republicans (RDR), Diabaté was Minister of Culture in Côte d'Ivoire from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2000; later, she was Minister of Justice from 2003 to 2005. She became Secretary-General of the RDR in 1999 and has been President of the RDR since 2017.
"Yes, absolutely. While the circumstances may be more solemn when I speak as Grand Chancellor, I am no different, and the message I want to convey to my audiences, and through them, to all Ivorians, is always the same. Speaking to activists, addressing decoration recipients, and speaking at state ceremonies—for me, its always an opportunity to repeat, in different ways, this same idea: only peace can collectively move us forward."
"When I am told that I am a female politician, I look behind me to find out who this female politician is. I have convictions that are those that I recognize in women, namely: unity, patience, the protection of life, unity. If these qualities can be defended by all women, then I agree with you that women can help bring their particular way of seeing politics and even society in general. That is why we are fighting for gender parity, because we believe that women bring another appreciation and that balance can indeed come from the male and female perspective together. That is how life is conceived."
"Yes, why not? I wish and hope so. I dont know if Ill ever experience that moment. But its in the natural order of things in a healthy and balanced society"
"Hes an open-minded man. He judges people based on their skills. He has the necessary qualities, experience, and openness. After traveling to so many countries and seeing whats happening there, hes a treasure that shouldnt be overlooked."
"Im sad because I think our women no longer have the courage. They took over when our men were in prison. They acted exactly like the men. My mother was one of the 4,000 marchers in Grand-Bassam. They were angry because their children, husbands, and brothers were in prison. Thats a womans vocation: to defend society. A woman who divides is no longer credible. Because she gives life, she must always bring people together."
"Yes, because verbal excess always degenerates into physical violence. At the root of violence are often intellectuals, leaders, those who write or speak, and who lead others, the "followers," with their murderous phrases, into poisonous and dangerous situations. The phrase by Victor Hugo that I placed at the top illustrates this idea well. Insult, this poverty of spirit, and denigration, which is a convenience, are both a weapon of the weak."
