-To Foster Gender Equality and Economic Empowerment in West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced a pioneering digital platform, the ECOWAS Gender Observatory (ECOGO), designed to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment across its member states.
This initiative is set to drive regional social and economic progress by leveraging data-driven insights. The ECOGO platform, developed by the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC), is the first of its kind in Africa, providing comprehensive statistical data collection, analysis, and storage.
It covers gender issues from 1960 to 2023, with over 1,700 indicators, including women’s economic rights, political engagement, health, peace, and security. Aimed at enhancing decision-making and policy formulation, the ECOGO offers a robust gender database that is expected to strengthen economic opportunities for women and girls.
By addressing gender disparities, the platform has the potential to help close gaps in economic participation and leadership roles, which have long hindered the region’s economic potential.
ECOWAS has also invested in a three-day capacity-building workshop for Gender Focal Points and key stakeholders from member states.
These initiatives underscore ECOWAS’s commitment to ensuring that data translates into tangible economic and social improvements for women across the region.
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou Sou Sarr, emphasized that the platform is a vital tool for achieving the ECOWAS Vision 2050, which includes goals for gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
She noted that providing equipment and financial support would enable member states to actively contribute to this vision. The platform’s potential impact extends beyond gender equality. ECOGO’s data-driven insights will help businesses and policymakers identify key areas for economic growth, such as increased female participation in the labour market and enhanced access to financial services for women entrepreneurs.
The initiative is supported by USAID West Africa, which provided 17 laptops, printers, and an economic package of US$25,200 to facilitate the operationalization of the platform, particularly in internet and coordination expenses.
The Director of the EGDC, Ms. Sandra Oulate Fattoh, highlighted that a strong gender database system is crucial for monitoring and evaluating progress in gender equality initiatives. This, in turn, will foster sustainable development, enhance women’s contributions to economic growth, and provide a competitive advantage for the region’s economies.
In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Service Centre for Africa, the EGDC has been working since 2021 to create a framework that enables member states to collect and report gender data effectively. This partnership is expected to further bolster ECOWAS’s gender-related programs and projects.
The African Union (AU) also plans to replicate ECOGO across other regional blocs on the continent, further expanding its reach and impact. According to Madam Prudence Ngwenya, Director of Women, Gender, and Youth at the AU Commission, the platform will help fast-track the implementation of gender-related commitments across Africa. Ghana, a committed advocate for gender equality, continues to lead by example.
The Director of Gender at the Ministry of Gender, Madam Faustina Acheampong, reaffirmed the country’s dedication to gender equality through the passage of the Affirmative Action and Gender Equality Bill.
The introduction of ECOGO represents a significant step towards empowering women economically, fostering sustainable development, and ensuring that gender equality becomes an integral part of West Africa’s economic future.
