The Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) has identified national strategies to promote girls and women’s participation in the green economy.

A statement on the ECOWAS website indicated that the strategies were part of the outcome of the Regional Workshop held in Saly, Senegal, from February 6 to 8.

The ECOWAS Member-States Regional Technical Workshop had the theme “Placing Women at the Centre of the Transition to a Green Economy in West Africa.”

In her address, Regional Director of UN Women, Elena Ruiz Abril, said the workshop was part of a series of activities carried out by UN Women and ECOWAS to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment within the framework of the transition to a green economy in West Africa.

“Women and girls in West Africa already play a major role in the transition to a green economy through their role in key sectors such as agriculture, forestry, energy, solid waste management, and ecotourism.

“However, the findings of a study by UN Women and the African Development Bank show that women are not well represented in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and transport, where most green jobs or better green jobs will be created,” Ms Abril said.

Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, however, said the challenges remained enormous.

Ms Sarr also said there was a need to carry out a sectoral analysis of possible green job opportunities for women.

She said this was to inform decision-makers on the appropriate gender-responsive approach to be considered in policies and to ensure a successful transition to green jobs.

“We must also address harmful social norms and practices that limit women’s access to land, finance, technology, and certain tasks and jobs in green job sectors.

“We must attach some economic value and reward to women’s unpaid work to accelerate the transition to a green economy,” she said.

In a remark, Fatou Diane Gueye, Minister of Women, Family, and Children Affairs of the Republic of Senegal, said there was an urgent need for the ECOWAS region to step up community initiatives.

The minister, represented by Astou Diouf Gueye, National Director for Gender Equity and Equality, Senegal, emphasised the need to consolidate the individual efforts of member states.

She said it was important to redesign a collective model for a successful transition to a green economy in West Africa.

“It would also be interesting to build on women’s indigenous skills while strengthening their resilience, their access to, and control, of productive and technological resources for sustainable land management and climate information.”

At the end of the regional workshop, member states took ownership of the ECOWAS Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change.

This was in line with Focus Area 2, which highlighted the place of women at the centre of the transition to a green economy in Africa.

About 40 policymakers from ECOWAS regional institutions and member states were invited to the technical workshop to discuss the place of women and girls in the transition to a green economy.

(NAN)