Natural Hair at School: A Petition in Ivory Coast Mobilizes Over 40,000 People

A petition launched on July 6, 2026 on Change.org calls for revising rules that force students to cut their natural hair in Ivorian schools. Within days, it gathered over 40,000 signatures. The initiators do not challenge hygiene but propose an approach based on cleanliness and hair maintenance. This initiative reopens the debate on balancing school discipline with respect for cultural identity.