“No democracy can thrive when women are excluded” — ECOWAS Gender leaders call for bold reforms

The President of the ECOWAS Association of Female Parliamentarians (ECOFEPA), Senator Chantal Fanny Moussokoura, has declared that no democracy can succeed when women are sidelined from political leadership, stressing that sustainable development in West Africa depends on the full inclusion of women and youth in governance.

Delivering opening remarks at the Regional Consultation on Political Participation and Leadership of Women and Youth in West Africa, held in Accra, Ghana, Senator Chantal Fanny Moussokoura described the gathering as historic and a decisive call to action.

“No democracy can thrive when half of its citizens — mostly women — are excluded, and no society can prosper when its young population is denied the opportunity to shape their future,” she stated.

The high-level ministerial meeting, convened under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States, brought together ministers and key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies aimed at advancing gender parity in elected bodies among Member States between 2025 and 2035.

She noted that although women and youth constitute the majority of West Africa’s population, they remain underrepresented in political decision-making processes a situation she described as a democratic deficit that undermines equality, justice, and sustainable development.

The consultation is examining legal, cultural, economic, and institutional barriers that limit participation, while also sharing best practices across Member States. Participants are working toward a collective roadmap aligned with ECOWAS Vision 2050, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals. A draft declaration on gender parity is expected to be submitted to the Authority of Heads of State for consideration.

She further called for bold reforms, including quotas, affirmative action policies, and gender-sensitive electoral systems to correct historical imbalances. She also emphasized the importance of investing in civic education, mentorship, and digital platforms to empower young leaders across the region.

Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Damtien Tchintchibidja, highlighted the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary Legacy Project, which seeks to establish sustainable mechanisms for effective political inclusion of women and youth across Member States.

She explained that the initiative aligns with Vision 2050, prioritising people-centred development, human capital, inclusion, and resilience.

According to her, the project will be anchored in a Presidential Political Declaration and supported by co-created regional guidelines to assist Member States in adopting appropriate legal and policy frameworks. These instruments are designed to reinforce — not replace national ownership, while providing a shared regional direction that respects each country’s political and institutional context.

Honourable Ministers responsible for gender equality and social inclusion were urged to see themselves not merely as stakeholders but as architects of the legacy project. The framework aims to strengthen national mandates while offering collective political leverage to advance reforms that may be difficult to pursue individually. It is expected to guide government deliberations, enrich parliamentary dialogue, and influence budgetary prioritisation.

By fostering regional solidarity and peer exchange, the project seeks to sustain momentum beyond political cycles and transform national priorities into measurable outcomes.

Also addressing the gathering, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering commitment to advancing the political participation and leadership of women and young people across West Africa.

She described the ministerial dialogue as both laudable and timely for the sub-region, commending the ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre for their continuous efforts to promote gender inclusion.

Hon. Lartey underscored that women and youth play a critical role in innovation, resilience, and inclusive governance but continue to face barriers to full participation in political leadership and decision-making.

She emphasised that President John Dramani Mahama remains firmly committed to promoting gender equality and youth empowerment in line with international and regional frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063, and the ECOWAS Gender Policy.

Participants at the consultation were ultimately called upon to make what was described as a “political and generational choice” to invest in durable institutions and leadership that reflect the diversity, strength, and aspirations of West African societies.

“With your leadership, this legacy project can become a turning point where our region chooses inclusion not as an aspiration, but as a defining commitment to its future,” the speaker concluded.