The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is currently taking place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, running from March 10 to 21, 2025. This year’s priority theme focuses on a comprehensive review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, alongside the outcomes of the 23rd Special Session of the UN General Assembly. Delegates from around the world are assessing progress in advancing women’s rights and gender equality.
On the sidelines of the event, the ECOWAS Commission’s Department of Human Development and Social Affairs organized a high-level interactive session on March 11. Titled “ECOWAS: 50 Years of Promoting Gender Equality and Empowering Women and Girls for Sustainable Development and Effective Regional Integration in West Africa,” the session brought together ECOWAS gender ministers, UN Women’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa, and representatives of ECOWAS member states.
Celebrating Milestones, Addressing Challenges
The discussions highlighted the region’s achievements in gender advocacy while addressing the persistent challenges in achieving true gender parity. Participants emphasized the need for stronger policies, increased funding, and collaborative efforts to support women’s economic empowerment, political representation, and access to education across West Africa.
Collaboration for Change
The session also saw the participation of technical and financial partners, as well as civil society organizations like the West African Network of Young Women Leaders (ROAJEF). Attendees stressed the importance of partnerships between governments and grassroots organizations in driving meaningful and sustainable change.
A Call to Action
As ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary, the session served as both a celebration of progress and a call to action. Despite significant strides, gaps in gender equality remain across West Africa. The discussions at CSW underscored the critical question: How can regional efforts translate into lasting, tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls?
The high-level session reinforced ECOWAS’s commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls as key drivers of sustainable development and regional integration.
