ECOWAS Vice President Advances Women’s Leadership at UN, Calls for Women Pivotal Role in Africa.
By Raymond Enoch
In a significant display of commitment to gender equality and women’s leadership across Africa, H.E. Damtien Larbli TCHINTCHIBIDJA, Vice President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), delivered a powerful message at the High-Level meeting of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Group of Friends to the United Nations on March 17, 2025. The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), coincided with two major milestones: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.
In her goodwill statement, TCHINTCHIBIDJA underscored the significance of these anniversaries as a moment for the ECOWAS Commission to reaffirm its commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women. She emphasized that women’s leadership is not just a matter of social justice but a fundamental driver of sustainable development and security across the continent. “The journey toward gender equality must be at the heart of Africa’s progress,” she said, highlighting ECOWAS’s pivotal role in this collective mission.
TCHINTCHIBIDJA’s participation in the event marked a turning point as the ECOWAS Permanent Observer Mission to the UN officially joined the AWLN Group of Friends, a coalition that includes prominent international entities such as the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). This partnership reflects a growing collective effort to strengthen the voice and impact of African women leaders at the global stage.
As Africa continues to navigate complex challenges, TCHINTCHIBIDJA’s participation signals a renewed commitment to ensuring that women’s leadership is central to the continent’s development agenda. With global partnerships like the AWLN Group of Friends, the vision for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for Africa remains firmly within reach.
