ECOWAS Advocates for Women's Political Leadership in Abuja

The ECOWAS Commission Vice-President, Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidja, reaffirmed the organization's commitment to strengthening women's political leadership during a high-level forum held on Thursday in Abuja. The two-day forum, organized in collaboration with the UN Development Programme and the African Women Leaders Network, focuses on practical solutions to enhance women's representation in politics.

Tchintchibidja referenced a recently adopted Presidential Declaration by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, which aims to create a regional framework for action to achieve gender equality in political leadership. She called on member states and political parties to reform their structures and practices to facilitate women's participation in elections.

Tchintchibidja also highlighted the need for investment in leadership development and addressed the issue of inadequate political financing as a barrier to women's political engagement. Currently, women hold only 18.5% of parliamentary seats in West Africa, significantly below the African and global averages.

Closing the gender gap could potentially increase the region's economic output by 10 to 35%.