UNIFEM began its activities in Côte d’Ivoire in 2007 as a joint Programme supported by UNDP and Norway. Under the programme UNIFEM initially focused on building partnership approaches, institutional strengthening and capacity development for women's leadership and participation to support women's participation in the electoral process. In 2010, in recognition of gender equality and women's empowerment as key to all development goals UN Women was created as an agency essential to the future success of the UN. UN Women received its official accreditation in Côte d'Ivoire in May 2013, followed in February 2014 by the signing of a Host Agreement with the government of Côte d'Ivoire.
The actions advocated in the first strategic plans (2014-2015) and 2017-2020 of UN Women in Côte d'Ivoire fall under the main areas deemed fundamental to progress towards gender equity and equality in the country. Today in line with the Global Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and the Country Office Strategic Note (2021-2025) aligned with Government’s priorities as set in National Development Plan (2021-2025), UN Women Côte d'Ivoire, in addition to its normative and coordination mandates, works in the following priority areas:
