[1] The AFI was created in 1963 by Ivory Coast's First Lady, Marie-Thérèse Houphouët-Boigny, to replace the Feminine Committee, a previously active women's wing of the PDCI.
[1] In 1976 the AFI successfully pressed for Gervais to be appointed government minister for women.
[3] After maintaining a parallel existence with the party for several years, the AFI was formally affiliated with the PDCI in 1977.
[2] The AFI has been criticized for subordinating the women's movement to PDCI party politics, restricting its activities to those regarded as appropriate for women while leaving 'real' politics to male party leaders.
[2] Others defend its role in promoting women's legal and economic rights.