ECOWAS seeks accelerated reforms to raise women’s representation in politics
Source: Tribune Online Nigeria
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for accelerated political, legal and institutional reforms across member states to increase women’s representation in governance, saying the region must move beyond declarations to concrete action if it is to achieve gender parity in political leadership.
The call was made on Thursday at the opening of the West Africa Women’s Political Leadership Forum, themed “Accelerating Gender Parity in Political Leadership in West Africa: From Commitment to Action,” where regional leaders, ministers, parliamentarians, development partners and civil society organisations agreed that existing commitments must now translate into measurable reforms that remove barriers preventing women from participating fully in politics.
The two-day forum is expected to adopt the Abuja Regional Action Plan, providing a roadmap for member states to implement reforms aimed at increasing women’s political participation and achieving ECOWAS’ gender parity objectives by 2035.
Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, said the initiative was conceived as part of the legacy of ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebration to ensure that the next phase of regional integration reflects the aspirations and talents of all citizens.
She said the adoption of the Presidential Declaration on Gender Parity in Political Representation and the Pact for the Future of Regional Integration demonstrated the determination of West African leaders to pursue a more inclusive, people-centred regional agenda.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for accelerated political, legal and institutional reforms across member states to increase women’s representation in governance, saying the region must move beyond declarations to concrete action if it is to achieve gender parity in political leadership.
The call was made on Thursday at the opening of the West Africa Women’s Political Leadership Forum, themed “Accelerating Gender Parity in Political Leadership in West Africa: From Commitment to Action,” where regional leaders, ministers, parliamentarians, development partners and civil society organisations agreed that existing commitments must now translate into measurable reforms that remove barriers preventing women from participating fully in politics.
The two-day forum is expected to adopt the Abuja Regional Action Plan, providing a roadmap for member states to implement reforms aimed at increasing women’s political participation and achieving ECOWAS’ gender parity objectives by 2035.
Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, said the initiative was conceived as part of the legacy of ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebration to ensure that the next phase of regional integration reflects the aspirations and talents of all citizens.
She said the adoption of the Presidential Declaration on Gender Parity in Political Representation and the Pact for the Future of Regional Integration demonstrated the determination of West African leaders to pursue a more inclusive, people-centred regional agenda.