At a Commission on the Status of Women 70th Session side event in New York, the Chair of the ECOWAS Ministers of Gender, Dr. Isata Mahoi, highlighted the urgent need to remove financial barriers that limit women’s participation in politics across West Africa.
Speaking at the event themed “Breaking the Financial Barriers – Addressing Women’s Political Leadership in West Africa,” the Minister emphasized that while women remain the backbone of communities and economies in the region, the high cost of political participation, limited access to campaign financing, and persistent cultural biases continue to restrict women’s representation in leadership.
She noted that achieving gender-balanced governance is not only a matter of fairness but also essential for strengthening democracy, promoting inclusive development, and advancing regional stability. Across the Economic Community of West African States region, several countries are making progress toward a minimum 30% representation of women in governance.
Highlighting national efforts, Dr. Isata Mahoi referenced Sierra Leone’s landmark Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, which promotes women’s participation in decision-making and enhances access to finance.
The Minister further called on ECOWAS Member States to adopt gender-sensitive political financing systems, reform discriminatory laws and practices, and challenge cultural narratives that discourage women’s political leadership.
She also urged governments, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to work together to create an enabling environment where women can lead without financial constraints.
The message was clear: empowering women in politics strengthens democracy, accelerates development, and secures a more inclusive future for West Africa.
