…Mentors Over 200 Emerging Women Leaders Across the Region
Female lawmakers under the Economic Community of West African States Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) have renewed calls for at least 30 percent female representation in governance across the subregion, emphasizing that women remain key drivers of peace, security, and sustainable development.
They also urged that the next President of the ECOWAS Commission be a woman, arguing that female leadership would promote inclusivity and deepen democracy within the region.
The demand was made on Tuesday in Abuja during a three-day workshop titled “Strengthening Women’s Role in Political Parties and Parliaments in West Africa and the Sahel.”
In her opening remarks, Hon. Veronika Sisay, President of the ECOWAS Parliament Female Caucus and lawmaker from Sierra Leone, said the forum aimed to nurture a new generation of women leaders capable of influencing policies and driving political change in their respective countries.
Sisay noted that while ECOWAS had recorded progress in women’s participation — currently at 25 percent in the regional parliament — efforts were ongoing to reach and surpass the 30 percent benchmark stipulated in regional frameworks.
“In my country, Sierra Leone, we have achieved the 30 percent representation goal. We started from 14 percent, but through hard work and advocacy, we met the target and are working to increase it in the 2028 elections,” she said. “We encourage other ECOWAS nations to follow suit so that women’s inclusion is not just a policy on paper but a lived reality.”
The Sierra Leonean lawmaker further stressed the need for female leadership at the highest level of ECOWAS.
“We are advocating for a female President of the ECOWAS Commission. Let it be remembered that under the chairmanship of President Julius Maada Bio, ECOWAS took a historic step by appointing its first woman Commission President,” she said.
According to Sisay, empowering women in leadership would not only strengthen governance but also promote peace and stability.
“Women are natural peacebuilders and partners in development. From restoring war-torn communities to ensuring food security and education, women have always been at the center of progress. Yet our voices remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces,” she added.
Speaking on ECOFEPA’s mentorship initiative, Sisay explained that the programme was designed to mentor over 200 young women from across West Africa and the Sahel, encouraging them to take early interest in politics and leadership.
“Politics is not a dirty game. It’s a platform to create impact and transform lives. Through mentorship, we’re building bridges between today’s women leaders and the next generation,” she said.
Also speaking, Miatta Garmai Warwolor, Regional President of the ECOWAS Network of Young Women Leaders, said the mentorship session connected experienced female parliamentarians with emerging leaders from member states including Nigeria, Liberia, Gambia, and Senegal.
She said, “This session allows young women to learn directly from experienced lawmakers. It builds their confidence and interest in political leadership. Our goal is to make this an annual programme to sustain women’s participation in governance.”
Koko Tomia Aude, President of the West African Network of Young Women Leaders (Ivory Coast), described the initiative as a platform for women to enter decision-making spaces.
“We are demanding a 30 percent quota in all areas of leadership. Now is the time for women to lead their communities and reshape societal norms. Women’s leadership is not optional — it is essential for sustainable development,” she said.
Similarly, Awehi Hope Gabriel, Regional Vice President of the West Africa Youth Assembly and President of Project Nigeria, praised the programme for empowering young women.
“This mentorship has inspired us to aim higher. It has shown that we can lead with integrity and transform our societies,” she said.
The three-day training brought together over 200 young female leaders from across ECOWAS and the Sahel for capacity building and mentorship sessions with ECOFEPA lawmakers.
The event was jointly organised by the Network of Young Female Leaders (ROAJELF), ECOWAS Gender and Development Centre (EGDC), EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security, and Governance (EPSG) Project, UN Women, and UNOWAS.
It was funded by the EPSG Project, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with ECOWAS, and co-funded by Germany and the European Union.
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