VICE PRESIDENT TCHINTCHIBIDJA DRIVES ECOWAS–UN WOMEN PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN WEST AFRICA By Raymond Enoch
The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Madame Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, has reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to strengthening partnerships that promote women’s leadership and inclusive governance across West Africa.
Speaking during a strategic meeting with the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs. Beatrice Eyong, held at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, 23 April 2026, the Vice President emphasized that empowering women remains central to the region’s sustainable development agenda.
Accordingly, Madame Tchintchibidja underscored that ECOWAS recognizes the critical role women play in shaping democratic institutions, peacebuilding, and economic transformation. She noted that advancing women’s participation in leadership and political processes is not only a matter of equity, but a strategic imperative for inclusive and resilient governance in West Africa.
The Vice President highlighted the Commission’s readiness to deepen collaboration with UN Women, aligning efforts with regional frameworks and global commitments to gender equality. She stressed that partnerships such as this are vital in translating policies into tangible outcomes that directly impact women at all levels of society.
In connecting with the objectives of the meeting, UN Women, through Mrs. Eyong, sought ECOWAS’ support to scale up joint initiatives aimed at increasing women’s representation in decision-making spaces and strengthening gender-responsive governance systems. The engagement also focused on developing targeted strategies and concrete actions that can accelerate progress across Member States.
Madame Tchintchibidja welcomed this renewed drive, noting that the synergy between ECOWAS and UN Women provides a strong platform to deliver impactful and sustainable results. She emphasized the importance of coordinated action, knowledge sharing, and institutional support in overcoming barriers that limit women’s full participation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to reinforce the ECOWAS–UN Women partnership, ensuring that collective efforts continue to advance gender equality, empower women leaders, and build a more inclusive future for the West African region.
