By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Community Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), otherwise known as ECOWAS Parliament, has applauded Sierra Leone for taking the lead in the enactment of a legislation that guarantee equal opportunity for women to participate in the governance of the state.
The Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, gave this commendation, while declaring open the Town Hall Meeting organized by the ECOWAS Parliament under the auspices of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA), in Abuja, over the weekend.
Dr. Tunis said the Townhall Meeting provided an opportunity for constituents to have a face-to-face interaction with their representatives.
Applauding ECOFEPA for taking the lead in these regards, Speaker Tunis, also commend the very important steps being taken by ECOWAS Member States to address Gender issues.
Of particular note, Dr. Tunis, said, is the demonstration of commitment and political will exhibited by President Julius Maada Bio of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who recently signed into law the landmark Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill 2022, guaranteeing the principles of inclusion, representation, participation, and a more responsive posture on gender.
He however, expressed optimism that similar action will be replicated in all ECOWAS Member States.
He further expressed hope that the lessons learned at the end of the town hall meeting, would transcend ECOWAS region, adding, “with our ambitious and vibrant young population, we have good reasons to look up to the future”.
According to him, “This gathering is solemn in many fundamental ways. First, this is the first time the ECOWAS Parliament, since its formation, has successfully gathered over three hundred and fifty women and youth in one hall, for the purpose of sharing experiences and ideas that are geared towards complementing regional integration, women and youth development and progress in West Africa.
Second, the substance of the meeting, which is adequately captured in the theme “Rejuvenate Democracy by giving voice to the young people,” is particularly timely. It is coming at a time when the gains we have made towards strengthening democracy in the sub-region is being eroded by the sudden and unfortunate resurgence of unconstitutional changes of Government in some Member States”.
He noted that the ECOWAS Parliament, through the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA), has been a strong promoter of scaling up the number of female representations in politics and decision-making bodies in the subregion, by emphasizing the importance of shared values and common policies as a basis for peace and sustainable development.
He said, the ECOWAS Parliament, under his Speakership, has recognised the special role of women and youths as actors, agents, and beneficiaries of development.
The Speaker, said, the Parliament have made concrete commitments and taken tangible steps to ensure the integration of the gender dimension in all planned actions and activities of the Parliament, including policies, and programs.
Significantly, he said, the allocation of a budget line to ECOFEPA and gender programs in the Parliament’s annual budget, has facilitated the empowerment of women and strengthened the fight against gender-
based discrimination, all designed to address inequalities between men and women and to promote gender equality.
He concluded that the Parliament does not take for granted the critical role women and youth play in advancing gender parity, promoting social diversities and inclusion, holding the executive to account, and drawing attention to specific issues such as the plight of street children, rising youth unemployment and illegal migration.
Gender parity, experts said has become a catchy phrase amongst gender advocates, policy makers, scholars, multilateral institutions, municipal principalities, the media and civil society organisations.
