The issue of women empowerment in the region will be on the front burner at the regional Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Parliament converge in the capital of the Republic of Liberia, Monrovia.
The meeting which will be presided over by the Speaker of the regional parlaiment, Rt Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis under the delocalized meeting of joint committees on Social Affairs, Gender and Women’s Empowerment/ Education Science and Culture and/ Health has as theme “Empowerment of Women in the ECOWAS Region.”
Representatives from the ECOWAS Parliament and other important ECOWAS bodies are expected to come together to map out strategy on empowering women in the sub-region.
Meanwhile, women’s empowerment and gender equality concepts are important in fostering health and human development. This is achieved when both men and women enjoy the same socio-economic rights and opportunities and have equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making.
Despite its benefits, however, research on women’s empowerment in West Africa region shows limited commitment by states towards achieving it eventhough at regional level, Article 63 of the ECOWAS Treaty calls for state parties to formulate policies and develop programmes which enhance women’s economic, social and cultural conditions.
