ECOWAS Urges Structured Implementation Of 30% Affirmation For Women

The Chairperson of Committee on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ayamba Laadi Ayii, has urged presidents of member states to set modalities in place  to achieve 30 percent affirmative action plan to allow more women participation in governance across the region.

She said this in an interview with newsmen at the sideline of the ongoing delocalized meeting of the joint committee on Political Affairs, Peace and security and APRM legal affairs and human rights Social affairs, Gender and women empowerment in Banjul, The Gambia.

The theme of the ongoing meeting is “Community Texts relating to Peace, Security, Democracy and Good Governance: Challenges in their Implementation and the Oversight Role of ECOWAS Parliament”.

According to Ayii, Presidents of the region should be deliberate about implementation of the policies as women stand a better chance to promote peace and security in the region.

Ayii, who is also a Co-Chair at the ongoing delocalized meeting of the joint committee however, stated that there is gradual improvement of women participation in some countries like Senegal, Benin Republic and Mali.

She also highlighted some of the impediments to the 30 percent affirmation process in the ECOWAS region.

She said the “challenges are enormous but the education of every girl should be considered,” adding that education is key to enhance the status of the girl-child and to unlock their potential.

“Also, competence is paramount. Most women think they are not competent until you go into some activities you will say I am competent enough, you get into it and you will continue to improve, learning.

“Another one is lack of resources. Most of our politics today is the issue of funding and most women are interested in politics but don’t have the money, they may be competent and intelligent but the money is not there.

“At the grassroots level, women are involved and they do the singing , dancing ,calling organizations to bring out all the women on the ground when it comes to vote and when it comes to  picking them for appointment ,they are left at the back and are not the best,” she said.