The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for greater inclusion of women in political leadership, saying it is essential to accelerating economic growth, regional integration and sustainable development across West Africa.
ECOWAS Commission Vice-President, Damtien Tchintchibidja, made the call in Abuja at a high-level forum on strengthening women’s representation in political leadership. She said women remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making despite making up more than half of the region’s population.
Tchintchibidja disclosed that women occupy only 18.5 per cent of parliamentary seats across West Africa, below the African and global averages. She urged governments and political parties to reform nomination processes, improve access to political financing and expand mentorship and leadership opportunities for women.
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the 35 per cent affirmative action target for women in governance and political party structures. Other stakeholders, including UNDP and the African Women Leaders Network, called for stronger institutional reforms and practical measures to translate regional commitments into increased political participation.
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