The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has wrapped up its Third Extraordinary Session and Second Parliamentary Seminar in Lome, Togo, with a resounding call to action: boost financial inclusion and investments for women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in West Africa.
ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, emphasized the need to address challenges facing West African women, represented by the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA). A symposium on “Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment of Women” highlighted obstacles women face in accessing financial services.
Ibrahima urged regional leaders to ensure women’s access to resources, citing their crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Women are change agents… Financial inclusion must become a fundamental human right and pillar of economic equality.”
Key Takeaways:
- Financial Inclusion: Ensure women’s access to bank accounts, loans, and investment opportunities.
- Economic Empowerment: Drive policies fostering equity to overcome obstacles.
- Entrepreneurship: Gateway to women’s financial redemption.
ECOFEPA President Veronica Sesay stressed investment in financial inclusion will create a more prosperous, egalitarian region, free from oppression.
Former Liberian Vice President Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor noted the Global Taskforce to empower one million women in trade has opened opportunities for West African women, citing a report that closing the gender gap could trigger a $3 trillion GDP growth rate globally.
Regional leaders must now ensure West African women have access to credit facilities to grow their businesses, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty.
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