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ECOWAS advances women’s political representation in West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has adopted a Presidential Declaration to strengthen women’s representation in political leadership across the region. At a high‑level forum in Abuja, ECOWAS Vice‑President Damtien Tchintchibidja called for legal reforms, political financing, mentorship and capacity‑building programmes, and announced a regional roadmap with measurable targets and accountability mechanisms. Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim reaffirmed the country’s commitment to a 35 % affirmative‑action target for women in governance and noted current female representation of 17‑20 % in the federal executive council.
In Accra, ECOWAS officials highlighted Ghana’s progress, including the passage of the 2024 Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, which sets 30 % female representation by 2026, 35 % by 2028 and 50 % by 2034, and the launch of a revised national gender policy. UNDP Regional Programme Director Dr. Jide Okeke stressed that sustainable financing is essential, noting that women hold only about 18.4 % of parliamentary seats in West Africa and that high election costs and vote‑buying deter many capable women from contesting office. Ministers from several member states pledged coordinated action, legal reforms and financing mechanisms to meet ECOWAS’s 2035 gender‑parity goal.
Entities
African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) · Damtien Tchintchibidja · Dr. Jide Okeke · Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) · Hajia Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim · Mohammed Lawan Gana · Sabia Kpekata · United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nigeria is reviewing reforms, expanding leadership academies and implementing its Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. von.gov.ng
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ghana’s 2024 Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act sets female representation targets of 30 % by 2026, 35 % by 2028 and 50 % by 2034. www.gbcghanaonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Financial pressures and vote‑buying practices hinder women’s political participation in Ghana. www.myjoyonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Sustainable financing is critical to increase women’s political participation in West Africa. newtelegraphng.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] ECOWAS adopted a Presidential Declaration on strengthening the representation of women in political leadership. bizwatchnigeria.ng · newtelegraphng.com · von.gov.ng
- [● 2 SOURCES] ECOWAS set a gender‑parity target of 35 % women in political leadership by 2035. bizwatchnigeria.ng · von.gov.ng
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Women hold only about 18.4 % of parliamentary seats across West Africa. newtelegraphng.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] ECOWAS will develop a regional roadmap and mechanisms to measure progress on women’s political participation. von.gov.ng