By Rachel Kakraba
Director of ECOWAS Gender Development Center, EGDC, Sandra Oulate, says low political will, limited or absent resources, and the lack of knowledge of tools for integration and policies are contributing to gender inequalities in the ECOWAS region.
She said emerging threats in member states such as new forms of terrorism, violent extremism and girls migratory problems due to conflict and cross-border begging remain a challenge in addressing gender inequalities.
Mrs. Oulate was speaking at the opening of a validation workshop by the ECOWAS Gender Development Center on its strategic plan, in Accra. The meeting is to validate the Centre’s Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027, to reposition it as a centre of excellence with the capacity to contribute to the transformation of West Africa where men and women have equal opportunities. It is also to build on the progress the centre has made so far in contributing to sustainable development, economic and social justice in the ECOWAS region through the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
She said institutional instability in Ministries responsible for gender in ECOWAS member countries impacts negatively on interventions and is a threat to social cohesion of the region.
“Institutional instability in the Ministries responsible for gender which are affected in one way or the other, affect the achievement and other interventions. This multi challenges constitute threat to social cohesion of the region, and could delay the attainment of the SDGS.”
Mrs. Oulate challenged member states to work with the centre towards the achievement of its medium and long term plans which are anchored on four pillars such as strengthening governance, empowerment of girls and women and partnership for the funding initiatives towards the promotion of gender equity among others. She encouraged participants to make inputs that are realistic and achievable for the general well being of the people.
“This workshop should enable us to reposition EGDC to respond adequately to the economic, social, political, legal needs of women and girls in the ECOWAS space and the global environment that is constantly changing. The EGDC proposes to work with member states of ECOWAS towards the achievement of this objective through the implementation of its medium and long term plans based on four pillars. Strengthening governance of EGDC, strengthen policy framework, empowerment of girls and women, and partnership for the funding of initiatives towards the promotion of gender equity.”
“I’m therefore calling for your insights to make proposals that are realistic and achievable over the next year so that the result of this workshop will be implemented. The expectations are high in view of the significance of the issues raised, Mrs. Oulate added.
She commended Ghana for implementing policies on gender, stating that hosting the workshop in Ghana will enable member countries to benefit from all of Ghana’s expertise.
Chief Director of the Ministry Gender Children and Social Protection, Dr. Afisah Zakaria, said Gender inequality undermines progress of societies and nations. She added it is a major impediment to achieving effective regional integration and sustainable development, hence the need for concerted efforts of all ECOWAS member states to achieve gender equality, which propels economic development.
“Gender inequality is a persistent issue that undermines the progress of societies and nations, worldwide. It is a major impediment to achieving effective regional integration and sustainable development.”
She said empowering women and girls will ensure they contribute meaningfully to the socioeconomic development of countries.
“Empowering women and girls are not only a moral imperative but also an economic one. Research shows that when women are empowered they contribute significantly to economic growth and poverty reduction.”
Dr. Zakaria added, “to achieve gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in West Africa we need to address several key issues. These include the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls including harmful cultural practices such as child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation. There is also the need to promote gender sensitive legislation to ensure that perpetrators of Gender Based Violence are held accountable for their actions.”
The workshop is on the theme: “Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls: An Imperative for the Achievement of Sustainable Development and Effective Regional Integration in West Africa. It will be followed by a Meeting of Ministers responsible for Gender and Women Affairs within ECOWAS member states.