The ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) has emphasised the urgent need for increased funding to support the organisation’s mission of advancing women’s political participation in West Africa.
The president of ECOFEPA, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, who made the call at a meeting to review the ECOFEPA statute and adopt the 2025 work plan on Thursday in Lagos, highlighted financial constraints as a major hurdle in implementing key programmes aimed at empowering women across the region.
Sesay reaffirmed ECOFEPA’s commitment to defending and increasing women’s political representation, aiming for at least 30 percent female participation in ECOWAS and national parliaments. However, she noted that limited funding has made it difficult to execute planned activities.
“We have our own budget, but if we rely solely on that, we wouldn’t be able to carry out even one programme. Bringing members from different ECOWAS countries to participate in initiatives is a huge financial undertaking. This is why we are now focusing on fundraising, seeking grants, and engaging partners to support our work,” Sesay said.
To address the funding gap, the president revealed that ECOFEPA is strengthening efforts to mobilise resources through partnerships, donations, and collaboration with key stakeholders, including First Ladies in the region. She specifically mentioned plans to engage the first lady of Sierra Leone and the president of the Organisation of African First Ladies, Madam Fatima Maada Bio, to seek support in pushing ECOFEPA’s agenda forward.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s success in achieving the 30 percent affirmative action target for women in politics, Sesay attributed the progress to the Proportional Representation (PR) system introduced in the last election.
“The PR system played a key role. It ensured that there had to be a woman for every two men on the list. This policy was strictly enforced, making it easier for women to secure positions,” she explained, encouraging other ECOWAS member states to adopt similar strategies to boost women’s participation in governance.
As International Women’s Day approaches, Sesay called for increased recognition of women’s contributions to development, urging male leaders across West Africa to actively support gender equality. “Women are powerful instruments for development. We are partners, not competitors. It is time for our voices to be heard and for us to have equal opportunities to contribute meaningfully to our societies,” she stated.
With ECOFEPA’s renewed focus on funding and institutional strengthening, Sesay expressed optimism that the association would continue to drive impactful change, creating a more inclusive political landscape for women across the ECOWAS region.
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