ECOFEPA Seeks 30% Women Inclusion in Governance, Trains Young Female Leaders

Janet Samuel

Female lawmakers under the umbrella of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) have called for at least 30 percent representation of women in governance across West Africa.

They said women play crucial roles in promoting peace, security, and development in the region and therefore deserve more inclusion in decision-making positions.

The lawmakers also urged the election of a female President of the ECOWAS Commission in the next administration, saying women’s leadership would enhance inclusiveness and strengthen democratic governance.

The demand was made in Abuja during a three-day workshop themed “Strengthening Women’s Role in Political Parties and Parliaments in West Africa and the Sahel.”

President of the ECOFEPA Caucus and Sierra Leonean lawmaker, Hon. Veronika Sisay, said the forum was aimed at grooming a new generation of women leaders capable of influencing policies and political decisions in their countries.

She noted that ECOWAS had achieved 25 percent female representation in its Parliament, while efforts were ongoing to meet the 30 percent target set by regional frameworks.

Sisay said Sierra Leone had already reached the 30 percent mark after years of consistent advocacy, urging other member states to emulate the country’s example.

“We are not just asking for 30 percent for its sake,” she said. “Women are partners in development and instruments of peace and progress. If given equal opportunity, women can deliver even more.”

She added that the mentorship programme was designed to encourage young women to see politics as a platform for change rather than a dirty game.

Regional President of the ECOWAS Network of Young Women Leaders, Miatta Garmai Warwolor, said over 200 young women from across West Africa and the Sahel participated in the mentorship programme, which connects them with female parliamentarians.

She said the goal was to build the capacity, interest, and confidence of young women in political leadership and ensure continuity of women’s representation across generations.

The event was jointly organised by ECOFEPA, the Network of Young Female Leaders (ROAJELF), and the ECOWAS Gender and Development Centre (EGDC), with support from the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, UN Women, and UNOWAS, and funded by GIZ in partnership with ECOWAS.