ECOWAS Vice President Tchintchibidja Champions Women’s Political Leadership at AWLN Forum.
By Raymond Enoch
In a powerful reaffirmation of the region’s commitment to gender-inclusive governance, Her Excellency Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, declared unwavering support for women’s leadership across West Africa during the High-Level Africa Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Forum held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The event, convened on September 24, 2025, and co-hosted by the African Union (AU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and AWLN, brought together a high-powered gathering of global dignitaries, including UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, development partners, youth advocates, and senior female leaders from across the African continent.
Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, Vice President Tchintchibidja delivered a strong goodwill message, emphasizing that the promotion of women’s political participation is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for sustainable development and regional integration.
“Inclusive governance is a cornerstone of ECOWAS’ vision for peace, stability, and prosperity in West Africa,” she stated. “Women are not just beneficiaries of development—they are drivers of transformation. ECOWAS is fully committed to amplifying their voices and ensuring their active participation at every level of political decision-making.”
Her remarks come at a pivotal moment as African countries face complex challenges around security, democracy, and youth inclusion. Tchintchibidja’s presence at the forum signaled ECOWAS’ alignment with global and continental efforts to dismantle barriers that hinder women’s political advancement.
The AWLN forum, themed “Advancing Women’s Political Participation in Africa,” served as a rallying point for policy influencers and institutional stakeholders to deepen partnerships and shape collective strategies that accelerate the inclusion of women in leadership across governance, peacebuilding, and socio-economic spheres.
Vice President Tchintchibidja further highlighted ECOWAS’ concrete actions, including its support for national gender policies, electoral reforms promoting women’s candidacies, and capacity-building programs for aspiring female leaders. She also commended the growing presence of women in political and institutional leadership in several ECOWAS member states as a sign of progress.
As the world grapples with increasingly interlinked global challenges, ECOWAS’ bold stance at the AWLN High-Level Forum reaffirms the bloc’s belief that Africa’s future must be co-authored by its women. With firm commitments and regional collaboration, ECOWAS is charting a path toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape.
The AWLN, established in 2017, continues to serve as a critical platform for elevating African women’s leadership across sectors. ECOWAS’ active participation in this year’s forum reinforces its role as a regional catalyst for gender equality and democratic governance.
