West African Nations Approve Roadmap for Women’s Political Participation

The West Africa Women’s Political Leadership Forum has adopted the Abuja Regional Action Plan on Accelerating Women’s Political Participation and Leadership in West Africa. It is a collective commitment by governments and stakeholders to translate the region’s gender parity aspirations into concrete action across the ECOWAS region.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr Isata Mahoi, while presenting the Action Plan at the end of the forum in Abuja, said the framework was adopted by representatives of ECOWAS governments, the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), political leaders, parliamentarians, civil society organisations, the media, academia, development partners and young women leaders.

The Action Plan reiterates that women’s “equal and meaningful participation in political and public life is not only a fundamental human right, but also essential to democratic legitimacy, inclusive development, sustainable peace and resilient societies.”

It further observes that West Africa is “at a critical political juncture,” with elections, constitutional reforms and political transitions shaping the future of democracy, peace and development.

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It recalls the Freetown Declaration adopted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, and commits governments and stakeholders to legal and policy reforms, safe political spaces, stronger mentorship, accountability mechanisms, and measures to address structural financial barriers limiting women’s political participation.

In his closing remarks, the United Nations Development Programme Director, Dr. Jide Okeke, promised continued support to the implementation of the roadmap, reminding the participants that “ensuring implementation is in their hands.”

African Women Leaders Network Co-Convener, Bineta Diop, called the adoption of the framework a defining moment for women’s political leadership.

Today we are adopting the Abuja Regional Action Plan. This is not simply a statement. This is a call to arms. It’s a collective commitment to take us from where we are today in terms of our aspiration and for women in politics,” she said.

Diop said the emphasis now must shift to implementation, adding, “The forum therefore is not just a talk show for women political leadership. It’s something that’s tangible for us. It’s a platform for action, a platform for implementation, accountability and results to be achieved.”

“As AWLN, I also pledge to continue to support the implementation of the Action Plan,” she pledged.

ECOWAS Vice President, Damtien Tchintchibidja, said the ball is now in governments and institutions’ court to go beyond commitments.

“Our responsibility now is to make the Presidential Declaration and the Abuja Regional Action Plan translate into tangible results. “We need to bring this framework into our national institutions, our parliaments, our political parties, our electoral systems and our communities too,” she said.

“It provides a practical framework for implementation, identifying priority actions, assigning responsibilities and establishing measures for monitoring progress across the wider political ecosystem,” she said, adding that implementation must be supported by “adequate resources, strong coordination, reliable data and clear accountability.”

Tchintchibidja reiterated ECOWAS’ commitment to support member states through technical assistance, strategic alliances, and peer learning. “Together hand in hand, we can make real change happen.”

The two-day forum was organised by ECOWAS in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the African Union, the African Women Leaders Network and the United Nations Development Programme.