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, marking a collective commitment by governments and stakeholders to translate regional gender parity aspirations into concrete action across the ECOWAS region.
Presenting the Action Plan at the close of the forum in Abuja, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr Isata Mahoi, 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 reaffirms 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.”
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It further notes that West Africa is “at a critical political juncture,” with elections, constitutional reforms and political transitions shaping the future of democracy, peace and development.
Recalling the Freetown Declaration adopted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, the framework commits governments and stakeholders to legal and policy reforms, safer political spaces, stronger mentorship, accountability mechanisms and measures to address structural financial barriers limiting women’s political participation.
In closing submissions, United Nations Development Programme Director, Dr Jide Okeke, pledged continued support for implementing the roadmap, while reminding participants that “ensuring implementation lies in their hands.”
African Women Leaders Network Co-Convener, Bineta Diop, described the adoption of the framework as a defining moment for women’s political leadership.
“Today we adopt the Abuja Regional Action Plan. This is not another declaration. This is a call to action. It’s a collective commitment to move from where we are today in terms of our aspiration and for women in politics,” she said.
Diop stressed that implementation must now take precedence, adding: “The forum therefore is not just a talk show for women political leadership. It’s for us something tangible, a platform for action, a platform for implementation, accountability and results to be achieved.”
She pledged continued support, saying, “As AWLN, I also commit to continue to support the implementation of the Action Plan.”
ECOWAS Vice President, Damtien Tchintchibidja, said the responsibility now rests with governments and institutions to move beyond commitments.
“Our responsibility now is to translate the Presidential Declaration and the Abuja Regional Action Plan into tangible results. The framework must be carried into our national institutions, parliaments, our political parties, our electoral systems and our communities as well,” she said.
She said the roadmap “provides a practical framework for implementation, identifying priority actions, assigning responsibilities and establishing measures for monitoring progress across the wider political ecosystem,” adding that implementation must be supported by “adequate resources, strong coordination, reliable data and clear accountability.”
Reaffirming ECOWAS’ commitment to supporting member states through technical assistance, strategic partnerships and peer learning, Tchintchibidja declared: “Together, hand in hand, we can make real change happen.”
The two-day forum was organised by ECOWAS in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the African Union, the African Women Leaders Network and the United Nations Development Programme.
