Gender Minister Isata Mahoi Calls for Action on Women’s Political Role in ECOWAS

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Isata Mahoi, has called on Gender Ministers and development partners across West Africa to take decisive steps to remove barriers preventing women and youth from fully participating in politics.
Dr. Mahoi made the call during the ongoing regional consultation on political participation and leadership of women and youth in West Africa, held in Accra, Ghana, as part of activities marking the 50th Anniversary Legacy Project of the Economic Community of West African States.
Delivering her opening statement in her capacity as Chair of the ECOWAS Ministers responsible for gender, Dr. Mahoi described the four-day consultation as timely and critical in West Africa’s democratic journey. She emphasized that the gathering was not merely for deliberations, but to reaffirm a shared commitment to inclusive governance.
She urged her colleagues to examine the legal, cultural, economic, and institutional barriers that continue to hinder women and youth from engaging meaningfully in politics. According to her, a collective roadmap must be developed in alignment with ECOWAS Vision 2050, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.