WACSOF COMMENDS ECOWAS AND WEST AFRICAN STATES FOR PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS ADVANCING WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND CALLS FOR INCREASED ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

MARCH 11^TH 2025: The West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) joins the international community in commemorating International Women’s Day, celebrating progress and calling for accelerated action to close persistent gaps in women’s rights and empowerment. On this occasion WACSOF commends the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), its Member States and all countries in west Africa for the progress made in promoting women’s rights and empowerment in the region

WACSOF welcomes the efforts made by ECOWAS and West African countries to promote gender parity in several sectors as well as the initiatives taken in support of women’s economic empowerment, such as the implementation of the ECOWAS Gender Policy. WACSOF also welcomes the efforts made by Member States such as SIERRA LEONE (with the GEWE law in 2023) aimed at promoting women’s participation in decision-making positions and combating violence against women and girls.

In this dynamic of progress, WACSOF urges ECOWAS and all West African States to increase their efforts with a view to reducing the persistent gaps in gender equality. WACSOF calls for:

1. Increased representation of women in decision-making positions, including in governments, parliaments, and other institutions.
2. Improved access to quality education and healthcare for women and girls, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.
3. Enhanced support for women’s economic empowerment, including initiatives that promote women’s entrepreneurship and access to adapted credits.
4. Effective measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
5. Eradication of statelessness that deeply affects women and girls

WACSOF calls on ECOWAS and West African countries to strengthen their monitoring and evaluation framework, involving Civil Society Organisations, to track progress towards women’s rights.

WACSOF invites the media, civil society organizations, and the general public to join efforts in demanding accountability from our leaders and in promoting women’s rights in Africa

As a regional civil society organization, WACSOF remains seized and committed to promoting women’s and empowering women in West Africa. WACSOF will continue to work with ECOWAS and all West African countries to ensure that women’s rights are protected and promoted for an inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.