past work: ivory coast post election crisis: women's day violence

On Women's Day 2011, people took to the streets of Abidjan to mourn the deaths of seven women who were killed by Gbagbo's forces during a protest in the oppostition neighborhood of Abobo a week prior. While hundreds ran through the streets of Abobo chanting against the killings, across town, women gathered in the neighborhood of Treichville marching through the streets holding banners reading "DON'T SHOOT US, WE GIVE LIFE" and wearing traditional colors of mourning as well as holding branches signifing peace and photos of those that have been lost. 

Later that day in Treichville, following afternoon prayers, those marching encountered the Special Riot Police loyal to Laurent Gbagbo known as the "Compagnies Republicaines de Securite" (CRS). Witnesses reported that the neighborhood youth guard stood in a line between the women and the security forces to protect them when the CRS opened fire. At least four were killed including one woman and unknown number were injured. 

(New York Times 2011)