The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has called for dedicated financing mechanisms, including a women’s political endowment fund, to eliminate financial barriers limiting women’s political participation across West Africa.

The call formed part of the Abuja Action Agenda adopted at the Women’s Political Leadership Forum on Friday in Abuja, with the theme, “Accelerating Gender Parity in Political Leadership in West Africa.”

The forum was organised by the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) in partnership with UNDP, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs.

Jide Okeke, director of UNDP Programmes for Africa, said women remained critical drivers of leadership, peace, security and sustainable development but continued facing barriers, particularly inadequate access to political financing.

“My mother invested significantly in my education, and today I am one of the leaders within the UNDP system. My journey reflects the transformative role of women’s leadership.

“Women make leaders, and more women in leadership strengthen peace and security across Africa,” he said, while advocating increased support and opportunities for women seeking political offices.

Mr Okeke said women currently occupied only 18 per cent of parliamentary seats in West Africa, describing the figure as inadequate despite growing commitments to gender parity and inclusive governance.

He said UNDP had established a Women’s Political Participation Academy and would train 40 women political leaders from 28 countries in Kigali to strengthen leadership and governance capacities.

According to him, the organisation has also trained about 140 young African women through its Young Women Leaders Programme, equipping participants with skills for public service.

Mr Okeke said UNDP was collaborating with the African Union to remove financing barriers while promoting enabling environments and sustainable funding mechanisms for women aspiring to elective positions.

“In countries like Nigeria, women want a level playing field. I hope this meeting endorses dedicated funds for promoting and supporting women in politics,” he said.

Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the Abuja Action Agenda represented a transition from commitments to practical measures aimed at advancing women’s political leadership.

She said the agenda aligned with Nigeria’s priorities on inclusive governance, institutional reforms, women’s economic empowerment, peacebuilding and broader democratic participation across all levels of government.

“Gender equality is no longer an emotional conversation but an economic necessity. No nation can achieve inclusive development while women remain excluded from governance,” she said.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim said Nigeria was implementing its Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security while reviewing the proposed Special Seats Bill for women.

She explained that the proposed legislation was designed to increase women’s representation in elective positions and strengthen their participation in political decision-making processes nationwide.

Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mme Damien Tchintchigbidja, said the regional body would support member states in domesticating gender commitments through reforms and accountability mechanisms.

“ECOWAS will provide the roadmap, but achieving gender parity requires collective ownership, stronger partnerships and measurable accountability from governments and stakeholders,” she said.

Ms Tchintchigbidja emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among governments, civil society organisations, political parties and development partners to achieve meaningful progress in women’s representation.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Isata Mahoi, said strong legislation, economic empowerment and mentorship remained essential for increasing women’s political representation.

She said Sierra Leone’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, Political Parties Regulation and National Elections Act had significantly improved women’s participation in governance and leadership.

Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace-Kollie, identified campaign financing as a major obstacle preventing women from successfully contesting elective positions.

She advocated dedicated funding mechanisms, reduced nomination fees and electoral reforms to address structural barriers limiting women’s participation in politics and democratic leadership processes.

Ms Horace-Kollie urged governments to require political parties to provide equitable campaign financing and dedicated support for female candidates through enforceable legal and policy provisions.

AWLN co-convener, Mme Bineta Diop, said gender parity required an enabling ecosystem supported by effective laws, institutions, political parties, financing, mentorship and accountability mechanisms.

She emphasised that sustainable progress would depend on coordinated efforts by governments, regional institutions, women’s movements and development partners committed to advancing inclusive governance.

Participants adopted the Abuja Action Agenda, committing governments, regional institutions and development partners to strengthen legislation, financing, mentorship, accountability and capacity-building for women’s political leadership.

The agenda is expected to serve as a framework for accelerating gender parity and enhancing women’s participation in governance and democratic processes across West African countries. 

(NAN)