Rt Hon Ahmed Idris CON, as the Deputy Speaker of Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) and a Member representing Wase Federal Constituency in Nigeria, played a significant role in sponsoring Nigerian women to attend the ECOWAS ECofepa regional summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Economic Community of West African States Parliament, is a legislative body within the framework of the ECOWAS regional integration organization. ECOWAS is a regional economic community consisting of 15 West African countries, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
The ECOWAS Parliament serves as a platform for representatives from the member states to come together and discuss regional issues, promote cooperation, and make decisions regarding matters of common interest. It plays a crucial role in the governance and decision-making processes within the ECOWAS community.
Rt Hon Ahmed Idris CON’s sponsorship of Nigerian women to attend the ECOWAS ECofepa regional summit highlights his recognition of the importance of women’s participation in regional affairs and his dedication to advancing gender equality and empowerment in the ECOWAS region. This support contributes to creating a more inclusive and representative ECOWAS Parliament and fosters collaboration and cooperation among women parliamentarians from different member states.
The presence of Nigerian women at the summit allowed them to share their perspectives, experiences, and concerns on various issues of common interest, particularly those related to women’s rights, empowerment, and development. It also provided a platform for them to advocate for increased inclusion of women at decision-making tables within the ECOWAS community.
Speaking with Hajia Salifat Mahmud one of the participants, she said the summit focused on various topics, including the role of the ECOWAS Parliament and the demand for increased representation of women and youth in decision-making processes. The slogan of the summit, “Governance fit 4 All Generation,” emphasizes the aim of inclusive governance that considers the needs and perspectives of all generations.
One of the key achievements mentioned is the establishment of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarian Association (NETWORK), which received a mandate from Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Maje CON. The association provides a platform for women parliamentarians from the 15 ECOWAS member states to come together and discuss issues of common interest. This initiative enables women to network and collaborate on various regional challenges and opportunities
…Haruna Tambari is a columnist with www.pointblank.com.ng