ECOWAS female parliamentarians under the aegis of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians’ Association (ECOFEPA) are holding a special forum on the subregion’s women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment on Wednesday in Lomé, Togo.

The forum is taking place on the sidelines of the parliament’s delocalised 2024 Third Extraordinary Session, which is ongoing in the Togolese capital, the parliament’s communication directorate stated on Wednesday.

“This initiative is designed to influence systemic change for women. It is bringing together stakeholders to pool knowledge, experience, and expertise and co-create solutions to financial autonomy and enabling women to participate in public governance without hindrance,” it said.

Speaking earlier ahead of the event, Nigeria’s Ipalibo Banigo urged the parliament to implement the 30 per cent female representation in the parliament as enshrined in its Supplementary Act.

She urged the parliament to sanction member states that failed to comply with the Act, which mandates each state to ensure that 30 per cent of its parliamentary delegation comprises women.

Ms Banigo decried the dwindling number of female representation, noting that the greatest challenge was that most national parliaments did not have enough female members, and called for intensive advocacy and awareness.

“If any national parliament violates this requirement, there should be sanctions. Any country that sends a list that does not comply with the provisions should be sent back.

“We are advocating for more women to join parliaments in their various countries because they have a lot to bring to the table.

“We believe that with greater advocacy, awareness, and with the cooperation of various stakeholders, there will be more women into parliamentary positions in the ECOWAS Parliament,” Ms Banigo stressed.

ECOFEPA, which comprises all female parliamentarians from ECOWAS’ 15 member states, was established in 2003 and later inaugurated in March 2010.

It provides a platform for female parliamentarians to unite, interface, and discuss issues affecting them as women and politicians. 

(NAN)