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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Female lawmakers in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under the umbrella of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA), have called for the election of a woman as the next President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The demand was made during a three-day workshop held in Abuja with the theme: “Strengthening Women’s Role in Political Parties and Parliaments in West Africa and the Sahel.”
Speaking at the opening session, the President of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association and Sierra Leonean lawmaker, Hon. Veronika Sisay, said the time had come for ECOWAS to take a historic step by appointing its first female Commission President.
“We are advocating for a woman President of the ECOWAS Commission,” Sisay declared. “Let history record that under the current chairmanship of Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, ECOWAS took a groundbreaking step towards inclusive leadership by appointing the first female Commission President.”
She said the forum was designed to nurture a new generation of women leaders capable of influencing policy and political decisions across the subregion.
According to Hon. Sisay, while ECOWAS has made notable progress in promoting women’s participation now at 25 percent in Parliament the goal is to reach the 30 percent benchmark mandated by regional gender frameworks.
She emphasized that women’s leadership promotes inclusiveness and strengthens democratic governance, noting that Sierra Leone had already achieved the 30 percent target and is working to increase it further.
“In my country, Sierra Leone, we have clocked 30 per cent already,” she said. “Initially, we had 14 percent, but we worked hard to meet the target, and now we are even working to increase it in the next elections in 2028. It was not an easy journey, but we did it. So we are encouraging other ECOWAS countries to follow our steps and ensure women’s representation is not just a policy on paper but a reality.”
Sisay explained that the mentorship programme under ECOFEPA aims to encourage young women to pursue leadership roles early and change societal perceptions that politics is a “dirty game.”
“Women are the best security,” she said. “We are not just fighting for 30 percent for its sake. Women are partners in development and powerful instruments for progress. If only the men can give us a chance to work side by side with them, we can do it better.
“Women have always been at the heart of peace processes in West Africa — from rebuilding communities affected by conflict to ensuring food security and education for children. Yet, our voices remain underrepresented in key decision-making spaces. We want to change that narrative.”
She added that the initiative aims to “build a bridge between today’s women leaders and the next generation, so that when it’s their turn, they will already have the experience, confidence, and network to lead effectively.”
Also speaking, Miatta Garmai Warwolor, Regional President of the ECOWAS Network of Young Women Leaders, said the mentorship session connects experienced female parliamentarians with emerging leaders from West Africa and the Sahel.
“We are here for a simulation session where young women leaders from across the region exchange knowledge with ECOWAS female parliamentarians,” Warwolor explained. “The goal is to build their capacity, interest, and confidence in political leadership. We hope to make this an annual event and a continuous process of bilateral mentorship between women parliamentarians and young leaders.”
Similarly, Koko Tomia Aude, President of the West African Network of Young Women Leaders (Ivory Coast), said the programme provides a platform for women to gain access to decision-making spaces and drive gender inclusion.
“We want a 30 percent quota that will allow us to work in all spheres of decision-making,” she said. “The moment is now for all women to be engaged, to lead their communities, and to change social norms. Women’s leadership is not optional; it is necessary for sustainable development.”
Awehi Hope Gabriel, Regional Vice President of the West Africa Youth Assembly and President of Project Nigeria, described the programme as “empowering and transformative.”
“As a young woman in politics, this experience has broadened my understanding of leadership,” Gabriel said. “It has shown us that we can aspire for positions at the highest levels of governance and still stay true to our values. The mentorship has renewed our courage to participate and lead change in our societies.”
The three-day event in Abuja brought together more than 200 young women from ECOWAS and Sahel countries for mentorship and leadership training with female members of the ECOWAS Parliament.