Abuja: 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.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this initiative was part of the Abuja Action Agenda adopted at the Women’s Political Leadership Forum held on Friday in Abuja. The forum, themed ‘Accelerating Gender Parity in Political Leadership in West Africa,’ 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, emphasized the critical role women play in leadership, peace, security, and sustainable development. However, he noted that women continue to face significant barriers, particularly inadequate access to political financing. Okeke shared a personal anecdote to highlight the transformative impact of women’s leadership, advocating for increased support and opportunities for women seeking political offices.
Despite growing commitments to gender parity, Okeke pointed out that women currently occupy only 18 percent of parliamentary seats in West Africa, which he described as insufficient. UNDP has responded by establishing a Women’s Political Participation Academy, set to train 40 women political leaders from 28 countries in Kigali, aiming to bolster leadership and governance capacities.
Moreover, UNDP has trained approximately 140 young African women through its Young Women Leaders Programme, equipping them with skills for public service. Okeke mentioned ongoing collaboration with the African Union to remove financial barriers and promote sustainable funding mechanisms for women aspiring to elective positions.
Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, stated that the Abuja Action Agenda signifies a shift from commitments to actionable measures for advancing women’s political leadership. She noted that the agenda aligns with Nigeria’s priorities on inclusive governance, institutional reforms, women’s economic empowerment, peacebuilding, and broader democratic participation.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted Nigeria’s implementation of its Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, as well as the review of the proposed Special Seats Bill, designed to increase women’s representation in elective positions.
Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mme Damien Tchintchigbidja, affirmed the regional body’s support for member states in domesticating gender commitments through reforms and accountability mechanisms. She stressed the importance of collective ownership, stronger partnerships, and measurable accountability from governments and stakeholders to achieve gender parity.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, emphasized the necessity of strong legislation, economic empowerment, and mentorship to enhance women’s political representation. She cited Sierra Leone’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, Political Parties Regulation, and National Elections Act as instrumental in improving women’s participation in governance.
Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace-Kollie, identified campaign financing as a significant barrier to women’s participation in politics. She advocated for dedicated funding mechanisms, reduced nomination fees, and electoral reforms to address structural barriers.
AWLN Co-Convener, Mme Bineta Diop, stressed the need for an enabling ecosystem supported by effective laws, institutions, political parties, financing, mentorship, and accountability mechanisms. She called for coordinated efforts by governments, regional institutions, women’s movements, and development partners to advance inclusive governance.
Participants at the forum adopted the Abuja Action Agenda, committing to strengthening 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.