ECOWAS Gender Equality Index as a New Tool for Measuring Progress Across Member States.

By Raymond Enoch

In a significant move towards closing gender gaps, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched its Gender Equality Index drawing comparisons to the widely respected Mo Ibrahim Index on Good Governance. This new tool assesses the efforts of ECOWAS member countries to reduce inequalities between men and women, providing a detailed classification of regional progress.

The index spans six crucial areas: education, health, employment and income, technology, leadership, and access to resources and assets. With 44 indicators, the index offers a comprehensive picture of gender equality across the region. The initiative is spearheaded by the Dakar Centre for Economic and Social Research (CRES), under the leadership of Professor Abdoulaye Diagne.

As gender equality becomes an increasingly important global goal, the ECOWAS Gender Equality Index is set to play a pivotal role in guiding member states towards more equitable policies and practices.