1st West African Women Policy Forum Report

1st West African Women’s Policy Forum
“Assessing the Gains,

Advancing the Agenda”
Policy Forum Report
1
1st West African Women’s Policy Forum
“Assessing the Gains,

Advancing the Agenda”
Policy Forum’s Report
December 2-3, 2008

Holiday Inn Hotel, Accra-Ghana.
Rapporteur: Ms. Omolara T. Balogun1
1 Omolara T. Balogun is a “Next Generation” Intern at WACSI.

1 West African Women’s Policy Forum - “Assessing the Gains, Advancing the Agenda”
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Table of Contents
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations .……………………………………….……........................................................5
About the Partners .................................…............................................................………............….....................…....6
Executive Summary .....................................................................................................................……….......................8
1.0 Introduction …........................................................................…………............................................….…....11
1.1 Aims and Objectives of the Forum ...................................................……….....................................…….…..11
1.2 Themes of the Forum ...............……....................................………………........................................….…..11
2.0 A Review of the “Status of Women’s Leadership in West Africa” ...............….................................................. 11
3.0 Tracking Progress and Challenges in Women’s Policy Influencing ...................................................................15
3.1 Drug Trafficking ............…............................................................................................................... 15
3.2 Sub-regional Integration, Migration and Free movement of people ..................................................16
3.3 Peace and Security ...............................................................................................................................17
4.0 The Prospects of linking policy and practice in West Africa ……….................................................……....…19
5.0 Revisiting Women’s Networking and Collaboration in West Africa ......................………..................…….21
6.0 Succession Planning in Women’s Leadership …............................................................................................. 22
6.1 A case study of the “Liberian Young Girls transformative Leaders Project” .....................................22
6.2 Enhancing Young Girls Leadership in Nigeria: KIND’s Experience ..............................................23
7.0 Establishing regional and international linkages ……................………..........................................................24
8.0 Designing Regional Strategy for Women’s Policy influencing …...............................................…..................25
9.0 Conclusion ………….........................................................................................................……...............25
10.0 Policy Recommendations …............................................................................................................................26
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: List of Participants ……..................................................................................…..................................29
Appendix 2: Agenda …………......................................................................................……..................................31
2 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum - “Assessing the Gains, Advancing the Agenda”
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
AWDF African Women’s Development Fund
CBOs Community Based Organisations
CEDAW Convention for the Elimination of all form of Discrimination Against Women
CSOs Civil Society Organisations
ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States
ECPF ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework
FAS Femme Afrique Solidarite
FGM Female Genital Mutilation
HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
IGAD Intergovernmental Authority for Development
ISIS WICCE ISIS Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange
KIND Kudirat Initiative for Democracy
MDG Millennium Developmental Goals
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
MRU Mano River Union
NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations
OSIWA Open Society Initiative for West Africa
REC Regional Economic Community
SADC Southern African Development Community
SIHA Strategic Initiative for Horn of Africa Women
SWEP Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace
UAF Urgent Action Fund
UNIFEM United Nations Development Fund for Women
UNSCR United Nations Security Council Resolution
WACSI West Africa Civil Society Institute
WIPSEN-A Women Peace and Security Network-Africa
1st West African Women’s Policy Forum - “Assessing the Gains, Advancing the Agenda” 3
About Partners
About WACSI
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) was created by the Open Society Initiative for West
Africa (OSIWA) to reinforce the capacities of civil society in the region. The Institute was established to
bridge the institutional and operational gaps within civil society.
Vision: To strengthen civil society organisations as strategic partners for the promotion of democracy,
good governance and national development in the sub-region.
Mission: The objective of the Institute is to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of CSOs
in the formulation of policies, the implementation and promotion of democratic values and principles in
West Africa. The role of WACSI is to serve as a resource centre for training, research, experience sharing
and political dialogue for CSOs in West Africa. The Institute makes its plea through policy dialogue to
discuss current issues affecting West African States. Reference documents are regularly published by the
Institute and disseminated to political leaders/policy makers.
Website: www.wacsi.org
About WIPSEN-Africa
The Women Peace and Security Network Africa (WIPSEN-Africa) was established on 8th May, 2006
under the laws of the Republic of Ghana as a Pan-African Non-Governmental Peacebuilding Organisation
with a focus on women, peace and security broadly defined. WIPSEN-Africa is women-focused, women-led
organisation that seeks to promote women’s strategic participation and leadership in peace and security
governance.
Vision: WIPSEN-Africa envisions a violence free, non-discriminatory continent that fosters peaceful
coexistence, equality, collective ownership and full participation of all, particularly women, in decision-
making on peace and security.
Mission: WIPSEN-Africa’s mission is to institutionalise and mainstream women, peace and security
by enhancing women’s leadership capacities and promoting constructive, innovative and collaborative
approaches to non-violent transformation of conflicts, peacebuilding and human security in Africa.
Website: www.wipsen-africa.org
About OSI International Women’s Programme

The OSI International Women’s Programme was established by the Open Society Initiatives (OSI) as one
of its inspiration to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, free and open societies, human
rights and economic, legal and social reform.
Mission: The mission of OSI IWP is to use grant-making and programmatic efforts to promote and
protect the rights of women and girls around the globe where the principles of good governance and
respect for the rule of law are absent or destroyed because of conflict.
Goal: The goal of OSI IWP is to be a catalyst for creating conditions in which women can take the lead
in their own political, economic and social development and strengthening institutions that are responsive
to and inclusive of women. IWP seeks to promote the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality
in law and practice, and the empowerment of women to ensure participation in the democratic process as
the foundations for achieving this goal. IWP’s work is guided by legal and normative frameworks and the
realisation of these is the entry point for promoting gender equality, the advancement of women’s rights
and women’s inclusion. IWP focuses its support around three main objectives: 1) Reducing discrimination
and violence against women, 2) Strengthening women’s access to justice, 3) Increasing women’s role as
decision-makers and leaders.
Website: www.soros.org/initiatives/women/about
About OSIWA
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) was created in December 2000 as part of the world
network of 32 autonomous foundations founded and supported by George Soros. These non-profit-mak-
ing foundations share in the commitment to work for an “open society”. Based on the principle that no
one has monopoly of the truth, an open society recognises the different points of view and always remains
open to improvements.
In practice, open societies are characterised by the priority of law, democracy, respect of diversity and
human rights, liberalisation of markets, information to the people and the dynamism of civil society.
Website: www.osiwa.org
About AWDF
African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grant-making foundation which supports local, na-
tional and regional organisations in Africa working towards women’s empowerment. AWDF through
institutional capacity building and programme development seeks to build a culture of learning and part-
nerships within the African women’s movement.
The vision of AWDF is for African women to live in a world in which there is social justice, equality and
respect for women’s human rights. To this end, its mission is to mobilise financial resources to support
local, national and regional initiatives led by women, which will lead to the achievement of this vision.
The objective of AWDF are fundraising within and outside Africa, grant-making on an African-wide
basis, communicating the work and achievements of African women’s organisations, providing technical
assistance to grantees. AWDF has funded over 600 women organisations in 41 African countries.
Website: www.awdf.org
Executive Summary
est African women have gained relative visibility through their activism in the civil society sector on issues of
governance, democracy, development, peace and security. However, the extent to which this activism influences
or shapes policies across the region has not been measured and therefore difficult to ascertain. Furthermore, in
comparison to their share of the population, women remain underrepresented in political spaces and very little is known about
the causal effect of those women who enter into political spaces. There is also an evident disconnect between women in civil
society and women in government further diminishing the potential collective leverage women can bring to policy processes.
This situation led the West Africa Civil Society Institute and the Women Peace and Security Network to initiate the establish-
ment of the West Africa Women’s Forum in December 2008, as an annual space for women working in different sectors in
the region to deliberate and design strategies for enhancing women’s influence on policy processes and provide a conduit for
improved collaboration among women’s groups.
The 1st Forum titled “Assessing the gains, Advancing the Agenda” brought together over 50 women from three distinct sectors;
women in civil society, women in government and women from the donor community. Participants were drawn primarily from
West Africa, with representation from other parts of Africa and the world. Participants reflected on women’s roles and participa-
tion in governance, development, peace and security in the region and to design concrete strategies for influencing and informing
policy processes.
The uniqueness of the Forum was that it provided a tactical space for cross section of women from different fields to reach
consensus on topical issues facing women in West Africa.
The central aim was to convene the 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum by creating a podium for women working in different
sectors to jointly deliberate on strategic topical issues affecting women in the region, such as the representation of women in
governance, development and peace and security processes.
The Forum had four (4) main objectives:

♦ To establish a platform for women across West Africa to strategise on maximising efforts towards influencing policies
on women’s issues;
♦ To enhance collaboration between women in civil society and governments;
♦ To serve as an annual reflection space for a cross section of women in the region; and
♦ To provide an avenue for West Africa women to form linkages with women working in other regions of the world.
A keynote address on the Forum theme was delivered by Hon. Vabah Gayflor, Minister of Gender and Development, Republic
of Liberia.
This address was supported by discussions on seven core themes:

♦ Reviewing the “Status of Women’s Leadership in West Africa”
♦ Tracking current issues affecting women
» Drug Trafficking
» Sub-regional integration , Migration and Free movement of people
» Peace and Security
♦ The Prospects of linking policy and practice in West Africa;
♦ Revisiting women’s networking and collaboration in West Africa;
♦ Succession Planning in Women’s Leadership;
♦ Establishing Regional and International Linkages; and
♦ Designing Regional Strategy for Women’s Policy influencing.
The Policy Forum offered Sixteen (16) key policy recommendations to enhance the involvement of women in leadership and
decision making processes across the region.
The recommendations outlined below are directed at ECOWAS, National governments, and Civil society.
ECOWAS:
♦♦ As the most progressive regional body on the continent, ECOWAS should increase the numbers of women in key
decision making positions at the Commission and other institutions. It is important that the African Union’s standard
of gender parity be adopted at all levels;
♦♦ ECOWAS and in particular the Gender and Development Centre in Dakar and the Gender Unit at the Commission
should develop more inclusive ways of working with women’s groups to achieve the implementation of its protocols
and other policies. The Centre should be a “rallying ground” for women in the region. For example, given the unique
impact of migration on women, the Gender Centre should lead the process of placing women at the core of imple-
menting the Protocol on Free Movement, Right of Residence and Establishment;
♦♦ First Ladies in West Africa through the auspices of the ECOWAS Gender Centre and national gender ministries
should be targeted to become involved in policy formulation processes at national and regional levels;
♦♦ ECOWAS leaders should invest in strengthening the Gender and Development Centre in Dakar, to enable it play a
more influential and constructive role in policy processes;
National Governments:
♦♦ Governments should close the gap between signing and adopting instruments and implementation. There should be
more commitment by States to fully domesticate CEDAW, The Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of
Women, and the ECOWAS gender policy;
♦♦ Given the appallingly low representation of women at national decision making structures, governments in the region
should recommit to ensuring a minimum 30 per cent of women at all levels of government;
♦♦ West African women in government positions should view women in civil society as allies and forge more strategic and
interdependent relationships that will enhance women’s ability to influence policies;
Civil Society:
♦♦ Women’s organisations should intensify their commitment to mentorship by creating opportunities for young girls to
participate and benefit from training programmes, workshops, and leadership initiatives in order to facilitate continuity
in women’s representation in decision making;
♦♦ Women in civil society should make overtures towards women in government and endeavor to provide technical
assistance on issues that affect women in the region. A starting point should be for women in both sectors to work on
the common cause of increasing the numerical representation of women at all levels of decision making;
♦♦ Women’s groups in civil society should increase their visibility within the sector and across the region by playing more
critical roles in policy formulation processes. For example, women should become more vocal and visible in traditionally
male sectors such as security, economic development and policy analysis;
♦♦ Women’s groups should enhance mechanisms for quality collaboration by maximising efforts and reducing unhealthy
competition and rivalry. A database of women’s initiatives outlining areas of specialisation should be developed to
improve cooperation;
Joint Recommendations
♦♦ The forum recommended the formation of a “West Africa Women’s Advisory Panel” comprising of women in govern-
ment, civil society and the private sector to support the gender structures at ECOWAS and provide policy advice to
national governments;
♦♦ Peace and security remains a high priority issue in West African countries, therefore, all actors should enhance efforts
to domesticate the implementation of related peace and security instruments such as the United Nations Security
Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820. The processes of developing national action plans for Resolution 1325 should be
accelerated in all countries. Lessons should be learned from Liberia’s experience of developing a national action plan
on the Resolution;
♦♦ Given the male dominated state of the security sector in countries across West Africa, women’s advocacy on engender-
ing the security sector should increase. This advocacy should involve calling for institutional gender policies that guide
the recruitment, retention and protection of women in the security sector;
♦♦ Women from all sectors should organise around upcoming elections in West Africa and become more engaged in pre
and post electoral processes. Lessons on the roles Ghanaian women played in the country’s 2008 elections should be
documented and shared in the region; and
♦♦ Finally, women should advocate for their visible inclusion in the implementation of the proposed ECOWAS vision
20/20 “ECOWAS of the People: Towards a Democratic and Prosperous Community”.
Ms. Thelma Ekiyor

Executive Director
WACSI
WACSI and WIPSEN-Africa acknowledge and appreciate the support provided by the African Women’s Development Fund
(AWDF), the International Women’s Programme of the Open Society Institute, the Open Society Initiative for West Africa
(OSIWA) and Abigail Disney, towards the 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum.
1.0 Introduction
he West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Women Peace and Security Network, Africa (WIPSEN-Africa)
with support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), the International Women’s Programme of
the Open Society Institute, the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and Abigail Disney, organised the
1st Annual West African Women’s Policy Forum in December 2008, to inform, guide, influence and monitor policy formulation
and implementation on issues that affect women in West Africa.
The Forum provided a platform for women’s groups, associations, coalitions and women in government and other decision-
making positions to reflect on women’s roles and participation in governance, development, peace and security in the region and
to design concrete strategies for influencing and informing policy processes.
The uniqueness of the Forum was that it provided a tactical space for cross section of women from different fields to reach
consensus on topical issues facing women in West Africa. It is envisaged that the Policy Forum will serve as an annual gathering
of West African women given the fluid nature of the region’s policy environment.
The overall goal for instituting this annual forum is to address the prevailing lack of strategy and chasm in women’s collaboration
and broad based advocacy to influence policies in the region.
The Forum brought together over 50 participants from West Africa including women’s groups, networks, women in government,
gender machineries and ECOWAS. Women from other parts of the African continent and the world were also represented.
1.1 Aim and Objectives of the Forum

The central aim was to convene the 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum by creating a platform for women working in
different sectors to jointly deliberate on strategic topical issues affecting women in the region, such as the representation of
women in governance, development and peace and security processes.
Hon. Vabah Gayflor (Minister of Gender and Development) - Liberia, giving the Keynote Address.
The Forum had four (4) main objectives:
♦ To establish a platform for women across West Africa to strategise on
maximising efforts towards influencing policies on women’s issues;
♦ To enhance collaboration between women in civil society and governments;
♦ To serve as an annual reflection space for a cross section of women in the region; and
♦ To provide an avenue for West African women to form linkages with women
working in other regions of the world.
1.2 Themes of the Forum

The following seven (7) issues formed the basis of presentations and discussion at the forum:
♦ Reviewing the “Status of Women’s Leadership in West Africa”
♦ Tracking current issues affecting women
» Drug Trafficking
» Sub-regional integration , Migration and Free movement of people
» Peace and Security
♦ The Prospects of linking policy and practice in West Africa;
♦ Revisiting women’s networking and collaboration in West Africa;
♦ Succession Planning in Women’s Leadership;
♦ Establishing Regional and International Linkages; and
♦ Designing Regional Strategy for Women’s Policy influencing.
2.0 Reviewing the “Status of Women’s

Leadership in West Africa”
study commissioned by WACSI on the “Status of Women’s Leadership in West Africa” provided the foundation for
discussing the prevailing leadership issues affecting women in West Africa. Specifically, the research examined women’s
leadership in different sectors of West African society and assessed how women have contributed to governance and
democratisation processes. The contribution of women in the pre-colonial and colonial era and in contemporary West Africa was
analysed to gauge the progress made over the decades. The study also examined women’s approach and response to leadership in
‘public’ and ‘private’ spaces as well as their approach to succession planning. Four (4) West African countries were selected as case
studies; Cote d’Ivoire being a country transitioning from protracted civil wars; Ghana and Senegal, for relative political stability
in the process of democratisation; and Nigeria, for its size and geo-political significance in the region.
Overall the study found that notwithstanding the existence of international mechanisms for gender equality such as the Conven-
tion on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA)1,
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right on the Rights of Women in Africa adopted in 2003 in Maputo, the
Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment adopted in Addis Ababa in 2004 and Millennium Develop-
ment Goals,2 all of which the African States have committed to, inequality remains intractable in ECOWAS member states.
The study provided statistical analysis of the number of women in leadership and political positions, particularly in national par-
liaments and key positions in Ministries and parastatals. This analysis revealed that Senegal leads in women’s representation in
parliament with 33 women out of 150 representatives in the lower house (i.e. 22%), and 46 women out of the 100 representatives
in the upper house (46%), while Nigeria emerged as the lowest with 25 women out of 358 representatives (i.e. 7%) in the lower
house, and 9 women out 109 (i.e. 8.30%) in the upper house.
1 In 1995, the Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing, China. It is frequently referred to as the Beijing Conference. The Conference was the culmination of
twenty years of work by the global women’s movement, and resulted in the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA). It Provides a framework on gender equality and empowerment
of women in 12 critical areas of concern which are: poverty, education, health, violence, armed conflict, economic disparity, power sharing, institutions, human rights, mass media,
environment and the girl-child.
2 MDG 3 Promote gender equality and empower women.
Table 1: List of women Parliamentarian in West Africa (October, 2008)
Lower Houses Upper House or Senate

S/N Country Elections Number Women % of Elections Number of Women % of
Year of Seats Seats Women Year Seats Seats Women
1 Benin Mar. 2003 83 9 10.80% -- -- -- --
2 Burkina Faso May 2007 111 17 15.30% -- -- -- --
3 Cameroon Jul. 2007 180 25 13.90% -- -- -- --
4 Cape Verde Jan. 2006 72 13 18.10% -- -- -- --
5 Congo Jun. 2007 137 10 7.30% Aug. 2008 70 9 12.90%
6 Cote D’Ivoire Dec. 2000 203 18 8.90% -- -- -- --
7 Gabon Dec. 2001 120 20 16.70% Feb. 2003 91 14 15.80%
8 Gambia Jan. 2002 53 5 9.40% -- -- -- --
9 Ghana Dec. 2004 230 25 10.90% -- -- -- --
10 Guinea Jun. 2002 114 22 19.30% -- -- -- --
11 Guinea Bissau Mar. 2004 100 14 14.00% -- -- -- --
12 Liberia Oct. 2005 64 8 12.50% Oct. 2005 30 5 16.70%
13 Mali Jul. 2007 147 15 10.20% -- -- -- --
14 Niger Dec. 2004 113 14 12.40% -- -- -- --
15 Nigeria Apr. 2007 358 25 7.00% Apr. 2007 109 9 8.30%
16 Senegal Jun. 2007 150 33 22.00% Aug. 2007 100 46 40.00%
17 Sierra Leone Aug. 2007 121 16 13.20% -- -- -- --
18 Togo Oct. 2007 81 9 11.10% -- -- -- --
Country with highest % Country with lowest % Source: The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
The research highlighted several factors that

impede women’s ascendancy to leadership
positions. These include the perennial challenges
of high illiteracy among women, cultural
impediments, and poverty. Additional contem-
porary challenges such as discord between
women in government and those in civil society
and the inability of women to relate to emerg-
ing spaces that advocate for women’s leader-
ship such as the African Feminist Forum also
hinder progress in women’s leadership. Many
women in West Africa are still hesitant to
associate themselves with the notion of
feminism3 limiting the potential for strategic
alliance building.
The 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum participants during a plenary session
The study also revealed that though there has been a noticeable increase in the numbers of women in the executive branch of
government, across West Africa women still find it difficult to make gains in traditionally male dominated branches such as
Ministries of finance, interior and defence.
3 Feminism according to the African Feminist charter places patriarchal social relations structures and systems which are embedded in other oppressive and exploitative structures at
the centre of analysis. While patriarchy is a system of male domination and authority which legitimises the oppression of women through political, social, economic, legal cultural,
religious and military institutions. The main ideological task of feminism is to understand the system of patriarchy and to put an end to it politically. For more, See -The African
Feminist Charter at http://www.africanfeministforum.org/v3/files/Charter_of_Feminist_Principles_for_African_Feminists.pdf accessed 28 April, 2009.
Table 2: A sample of some women in key government positions in West Africa
No Country Position Name Year

1. Liberia President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf 2007
2. The Gambia Vice-President Aisatou N'Jie Saidy 1997
3. Ghana Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Woode 2006
4. Ghana Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu 2009
5. The Gambia Secretary of State of Economy and Finance Margaret Keita 2005
6. Ghana Director Immigration services Madam Elizabeth Adjei 2007
7. Cape Verde Minister of Finances and Public Administration Cristina Duarte 2006
8. Cape Verde Minister of Economy and Competitiveness Fatima Maria Carvalho Fialho 2008
9. Guinea-Bissau Minister of Economy Helena Nosolini Embalo 2009
10. Senegal Minister of Defence Mame Madior Boye 2002
11. Liberia Minister of Finance Antoinette Sayeh 2006
12. Liberia Minister of Foreign Affairs Olubanke King-Akerele 2007
13. Sierra Leone Minister of Foreign Affairs Zainab Hawa Bangura 2007
14. Guinea-Bissau Minister of Foreign Affairs Adiato Diallo Nandigna 2009
15. Cape Verde Minister of Defence Cristina Fontes Lima 2006
Source: http://www.infoplease.com/world/leaders (Accessed on 28 February, 2009)
Furthermore, women continue to suffer from the consequences of historical marginalisation and exclusion from political pro-
cesses. The practices and structures of political parties have typically alienated women. The cost-intensive nature of political
campaigns and the requirement for political candidates to be absent from the home for extended periods of time make it almost
impossible for women to combine their gender roles at homes with the requirements of successful campaigning. As a result,
women have mostly resolved to supporting male candidates with expectations of getting political appointments. The few women
who emerge as flag bearers for their political parties are exceptions rather than the norm. The study found that where such
candidates emerge, they are put under intense scrutiny and often have to consistently prove their worthiness as “good” women.
The fear of such scrutiny has discouraged more women from presenting themselves as leading candidates for political positions.
Some key findings from the research for the im-

provement of women’s leadership in West Africa are;
♦ Integration of gender issues and concerns

into all government establishments, programmes
and activities for equal participation and enable-
ment of women in the developmental processes of
their society;
♦ Facilitation of consultative processes and

platforms between women leaders in government
and civil society to consolidate the discourse on
women unity while forging effective partnerships
and alliances to advance women’s agenda in the
(L-R) Hon. Bamba Massani (MP - Cote d’Ivoire); Dr. Esi Sutherland Addy (Board Member - WACSI) sub-region; and
and Hon. Jeneh Kandeh (Deputy Minister - Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs) - Sierra Leone
♦ Joint efforts in building the capacity of women to influence and monitor policy formulation and implementation on
issues that affect women, and intensify the effort to empower women with necessary information, skills and training
that will contribute to a constructive transformative leadership.
3.0 Tracking Progress and Challenges in

Women’s Policy Influencing
The forum identified key issues requiring the attention of policy makers. These issues are of particular concern to women and
call for women’s collective advocacy.
3.1 Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is a major threat to West Africa’s development and security. A combination of porous borders, corruption and
crime are contributing to making the region an epicenter for drug trafficking. Women have become pawns and players in the
drug trade as they are used to traffic illicit drugs across borders. Though a number of instruments exist to combat this problem
such as the 1996 Political Declaration and Drug Control Action Plan on the Control of Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking
in Africa drafted and reviewed in 2002 at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now African
Union4, and the new 2007 ECOWAS framework, replacing the 1997 plan adopted at Praia, Cape Verde, the problem remains
unabated. West African women need to extend their advocacy to addressing the problem of drug trafficking from a gender
perspective. It was noted that women made key contributions to raising awareness of the impact of human trafficking on young
women and girls and similar advocacy should target drug trafficking.
Empirical studies need to be conducted to gauge the causal factors of this problem, the impact on communities across the
sub-region and ongoing efforts to address it. Such studies will provide information on how women’s collective advocacy can
contribute to stopping this destructive trend.
Further, the forum proposed that, concerted support should be given to ECOWAS member states who are confronted with the
scourge of drug trafficking in accordance with the ECOWAS Strategic Vision adopted on June 15, 20075.
Above: Ms. Thelma Ekiyor (Executive Director - WACSI) Top right: Mme Khady Fall Tall (President - WAWA); and Ms. Ruth Ochieng (Executive Director - ISIS-WICCE) -
Uganda Bottom right: Mme. Salimata Porquet (FIFEM) - Cote D’Ivoire
4 Mashaba, Mpho. Institute for Security Studies. Organised Crime and Corruption: Fighting the Problem Within the NEPAD Framework. See http://www.iss.co.za/index.
php?link_id=28&slink_id=1185&link_type=12&slink_type=12&tmpl_id=3 accessed January 8, 2009.
5 ECOWAS Press Release N°:57/2007. Abuja, 15 June 2007. ECOWAS Leaders Adopt Strategic Vision for Regional Development. See http://news.ecowas.int/en/presseshow.
php?nb=57&lang=en&annee=2007 accessed January 8, 2009.
3.2 Sub-Regional Integration, Migration and Free Movement of People
The establishment of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) in May 28 1975, following the signing of
the Lagos Treaty by the 15 Member States6 anticipated development towards a sub-regional economic zone with clear objec-
tives - to promote economic integration and stability in “all fields of economic activity, particularly industry, transport, telecom-
munications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial questions, social and cultural matters”. A
key objective of the preamble to the Lagos Treaty is to remove obstacles to the free movement of goods, capital and people in the
sub-region7 which is sine qua non to the attainment of sub-regional integration. In pursuit of this objective, ECOWAS member
states adopted a Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and the Right of Residence and Establishment in 1979, thus placing the
free intra-regional movement of persons and goods at the heart of the region’s integration process.
Though significant strides have been made to facilitate free movement of persons, the issue of migration remains a concern for
the region. Migration and regional integration were identified as key issues the West African Women’s Policy Forum should
focus on. Historically, migration has been a way of life in West Africa and an essential tool in its integration process; breaking
languages and colonial barriers8. The region has experienced a variety of migrations, often caused by population pressure, poverty,
political and related factors - poor national economies, environmental disasters and endemic conflicts.
Persons that migrate from and within the sub-region include temporary cross-border workers, female traders, farm labourers,
professionals, clandestine workers and refugees. These migrants are essentially intra-regional and short term in response to the
interdependent economies of neighbouring countries.
Women make up significant proportion of migrants in West Africa; either as small-scale cross-border traders, or fleeing as
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) or refugees. Migrant women include those moving to other countries, as well as internal
migrants; who relocate in other parts of their own countries. Whilst many women accompany or join family members, increasing
numbers of female migrants migrate on their own as the principal wage earners for their families. However, a significant number
are forced migrants, who have fled persecution, environmental degradation, natural disasters and other situations that affect their
habitat and livelihood.
Above: Dr. Sintiki Ugbe, (Director - Gender, Youth, Civil Society, Employment and Drug Control) - ECOWAS Commission. Top right: Yasmin Jusu-Sheriff (MARWOPNET) -
Sierra Leone; Bunmi Dipo-Salami (Larens-Consult) - Nigeria. Bottom right: Ecoma Alaga (Programme Director - WIPSEN-Africa) - Ghana
6 The following countries comprises of the ECOWAS states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger,
Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
7 See Article 2 (1) of ECOWAS Protocol of May 29, 1979 Relating to Free Movement of Persons, Residence and establishment
See Article 2(d) (iii) of the 1993 Revised ECOWAS Treaty
8 Bach, D.C (Ed) 1999 Regionalisation in Africa: Integration and Disintegration, London: James Currey publishers
Studies have shown that majority of people engaged in trade within the sub-region particularly, in the informal sector are
women. Women are also known as key players in cross-border trade, and account for up to 90 percent of informal trade along
the borders of West African states. Hence, women traders and entrepreneurs are key stakeholders playing significant roles in the
integration process.
In spite of women’s invaluable contributions towards regional integration and trade/economic growth in the sub-region, they often
experience difficulties which undermine the potential of their activities and obstruct the development of cross-border trade and
integration efforts. These include9: the palpable roadblocks across frontiers, the lengthy and costly formalities at border posts, and
corrupt officials. Women and children are also susceptible to trafficking. For example, children from Togo, Nigeria, Mali, are taken
to Cote d’Ivoire’s plantations and as domestic servants in Gabon. Women from Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, and Sierra Leone are ex-
ploited as sex workers in countries of the European Union in the so-called “Triangle of Shame” in the Niger/Chad/Nigeria border10.
The ECOWAS Protocol on Free movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment is a powerful tool that can address the
challenges of migration and movement in the region, if national governments commit to its implementation. Civil society ac-
tors across the region also have to pressurise governments and ECOWAS, as a body, to continue efforts to improve integration.
3.3 Peace and Security

Women have made impressive gains in peace and security across West Africa. Groups such as MARWOPNET, WIPSEN-Africa,
Femme Afrique Solidarite (FAS) have enhanced the participation of women in peace processes in the region. However, women
remain largely absent in decision making spaces in the security sector. Studies show that only the Police and Army in most
countries in the region have up to 18 percent of women in decision making while other security institutions such as Border
Controls, Drug Control, Private Security Agencies, and Immigration Services have little or insignificant numbers of women in
their leadership structures. Mainstreaming gender into all structures of governance particularly within security sector is highly
imperative as sustainable peace will not be achieved without the full participation of women and men.
The Forum’s participants stressed that women’s advocacy in peace and security should be targeted towards mainstreaming gender
in the security sector. The integration of gender issues can improve the efficiency, professionalism and respect for human rights
in security sector institutions. Gender mainstreaming initiatives can enhance the effectiveness of prevention and response to
gender-based violence. They can also help to create a healthy and efficient work environment by lowering internal rates of dis-
crimination, harassment and violence.11
Instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and
United Nations Resolutions 1325 and 1820 have all provided frameworks for women to call for their representation in all aspects
of peace and security. This advocacy is yielding results in security sector reform processes in Liberia and Sierra Leone but needs
to be extended to other countries in the region such as Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea Bissau.
In addition, the increase in recruitment, retention and advancement of women within the security sector is critical to reform-
ing and enriching the sector as women provide special services that men are traditionally unable to. In the context of multidi-
mensional peacekeeping operations, women contribute to screening of female ex-combatants; widening the net of intelligence
gathering; performing the cordon and search of women; and assisting in the aftermath of sexual violence12. Women often have
certain skills that are highly useful to security sector institutions. Research, specifically within the field of policing, has docu-
mented that female officers:
» are less likely to use excessive or deadly force or be involved in misconduct;
» are more effective at defusing and de-escalating potentially violent situations;
» receive more favourable evaluations and fewer citizens complain; and
» report greater support for the principles of community policing13.
9 See http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/17/2/41400366.pdf accessed 17 April, 2009

10 http://www.gcim.org/attachements/RS8.pdf accessed 17 April, 2009
11 The road to gender equality in Af rica: Overview “The Africa Union commission”, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 6 July, 2004
12 United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Enhancing the Operational Impact of Peacekeeping Operations: Gender Balance in Military and Police Services
Deployed to UN Peacekeeping Missions. Background Paper. New York: UN DPKO Policy Dialogue, 28-29 March 2006.
13 Kim Lonsway et al. Hiring & Retaining More Women: The Advantages to Law Enforcement Agencies. National Center for Women & Policing: 2003.
The Forum highlighted that gender mainstreaming and increase in the participation of women within security sector surpasses
operational benefits, it also ensures compliance with international norms, instruments and laws such as CEDAW (1979), the
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
(1995). Though Resolution 1325 does not specifically mention SSR, it calls for women’s “equal participation and full involvement
in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.”
Women also have to engage regionally on the implementation of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF)14. This
engagement should include raising awareness of the framework among women’s groups and actors at all levels and ensuring that
women participate in key processes such as conflict early warning and response and formal mediation and negotiation processes.
Ms. Leymah Gbowee (Executive Director - WIPSEN Africa) (L-R) Ms. Iheoma Obibi (Executive Director - Alliances for Africa) - Nigeria;
Ms. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (Executive Director - AWDF) - Ghana.
Left: A cross section of the Forum participants listening to presenters as they advocate their points. Top right: Zina Pierre (Washington Linkage Group) - USA; Gloria Steinem
(Women’s Media Center) - USA Above right: Yvonne Moore (Executive Director - Daphne Foundation) -USA; Kanyere Eaton (Executive Director - The Sister Fund) - USA.
14 The ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework is a regional mechanisms developed to guide the conceptualisation, implementation and evaluation of conflict prevention initia-
tives in the ECOWAS Commission and Member States. The framework signifies conflict prevention mechanisms as an essential part of regional integration and development.
For more see http://www.ecowas.int/publications/en/framework/ECPF_final.pdf accessed 28 April, 2009.
4.0 Prospects of Linking Policy and
Practice in West Africa
omen’s groups across West Africa continue to face challenges of linking their initiatives to policy change. One of
the main causes of the gap between practice and policies on women’s issues is the disconnect between women in
civil society and women in government. This disconnect is partly responsible for challenges in domesticating inter-
national instruments such as CEDAW and the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in West African states.
Table 3: West African Countries which have signed/ratified or acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of all Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
Date of receipt of the instrument of

S/N Countries Date of signature R- ratification/A- accession or/ S- succession
1. Benin 11 Nov. 1981 12 Mar. 1992
2. Burkina Faso -- 14 Oct. 1987 – A

3. Cameroon 6 Jun. 1983 23 Aug. 1994 - A
4. Cape Verde -- 5 Dec. 1980 – A
5. Chad -- 9 Jun. 1995 – A
6. Cote d'Ivoire 17 Jul. 1980 18 Dec. 1995 – A
7. Gabon 17 Jul. 1980 21 Jan. 1983
8. Gambia 29 Jul. 1980 16 Apr. 1993

9. Ghana 17 Jul. 1980 2 Jan. 1986
10. Guinea 17 Jul. 1980 9 Aug. 1982
11. Guinea-Bissau 17 Jul. 1980 23 Aug. 1985
12. Liberia -- 17 Jul. 1984 – A
13. Mali 5 Feb. 1985 10 Sept. 1985
14. Niger -- 8 Oct. 1999 – A
15. Nigeria 23 Apr. 1984 13 Jun. 1985
16. Senegal 29 Jul. 1980 5 Feb. 1985
17. Sierra Leone 21 Sept. 1988 11 Nov. 1988
18. Togo -- 26 Sept. 1983 – A
Source: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/states.htm accessed 28 April, 2009.
Mutual suspicion and lack of trust has characterised the relationship and interaction between women in both sectors. On
one hand, women in civil society criticise women in government for not representing their needs and issues, while women in
government accuse civil society of being ignorant of governance processes and often undermining their efforts. This lack of col-
laboration between women in both sectors has led to an underutilisation of the contributions each side can make to influencing
policies. Civil society has information and technical expertise that can be essential in assisting women in government to formu-
late policies, and women in government are strategically positioned to guide civil society on where advocacy should be targeted.
The Forum also considered the dearth skills among parliamentarians in different national governments as constituting another
challenge to women’s ability to influence policies. Most female parliamentarians lack skills in gender analysis and are unable to
formulate legislation from a gender perspective. Furthermore, women in parliament find it difficult to advocate specifically on
women’s issues for fear of being ostracized within their political parties. The result is that female parliamentarians often legislate
along party lines, even in cases where such policies may be disadvantageous to women.
Table 4: West African countries which have signed/ratified or acceded to African Union convention on Protocol to the African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ on the Right of Women in Africa.
Date of Ratification/
S/N Countries Date of signature Accession Date of Deposited
1. Benin 11 Feb. 2004 30 Sept. 2005 13 Oct. 2005
2. Burkina Faso 26 Feb. 2004 09 Jun. 2006 09 Aug.2006

3. Cameroon 25 Jul.2006 -- --
4. Cape Verde -- 21 Jun. 2005 22 Jul. 2005

5. Chad 06 Dec. 2004 -- --
6. Cote d'Ivoire 27 Feb. 2004 -- --
7. Gabon 27 Jan. 2005 -- --
8. Gambia 11 Sept. 2003 25 May 2005 06 Sept. 2005
9. Ghana 31 Oct. 2003 -- --
10. Guinea 16 Dec. 2003 -- --
11. Guinea-Bissau 08 Mar.2005 -- --
12. Liberia 16 Dec. 2003 -- --
13. Mali 09 Dec. 2003 13 Jan. 2005 03 Feb. 2005
14. Niger 06 Jul. 2004 -- --
15. Nigeria 16 Dec. 2003 16 Dec. 2004 18 Feb. 2005
16. Senegal 26 Dec. 2003 27 Dec. 2004 30 Jan. 2005
17. Sierra Leone 09 Dec. 2003 -- --
18. Togo 30 Dec. 2003 12 Oct. 2005 26 Oct. 2005
Sources: http://www.achpr.org/english/ratifications/ratification_women%20protocol.pdf accessed 28 April, 2009
It was noted that the insignificant number of women represented in parliaments across the region was a major hurdle to women’s
ability to influence legislation. For example in Nigeria there are only 25 women out of 358 representatives in the lower house (i.e.
7%) and 9 out 109 representatives in the Upper house, as at the 2007 general election. This under-representation is also evident
at the ECOWAS level. For example, at the ECOWAS Commission; there are only two (2) women serving as Commissioners
out of eight (8) Commissioners. Participants urged ECOWAS as the most progressive Regional Economic Community (REC)
on the continent, to increase the numbers of women in key decision making positions. ECOWAS should also ensure that the
Gender Development Centre is properly capacitated and supported to facilitate in-roads for women to influence regional policy processes.
The minimal number of women in these spaces calls for more collaborations between government and civil society. Some organi-
sations such as the 50:50 group in Sierra Leone have tried to enhance collaboration between women in government and women
in civil society organisations. However, such examples are the exception and not the norm in West Africa.
5.0 Revisiting Women’s Networking and
Collaboration in West Africa
frican women have been mobilising on issues that affect their lives for decades. This has provided them with knowl-
edge, networks and tools that are useful in bringing about change in society. Women’s collective organising has been
instrumental for a number of significant shifts in democratisation processes in West Africa. For example, women were
central to the election of Africa’s first female President; Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia. In 2004, women in Ghana successfully
developed the “Women’s Manifesto” as a political tool for negotiating with political parties. The achievements recorded in
developing the manifesto were gained through women’s networking and collaborations. Examples of the networks existing in
the region include MARWOPNET, West Africa Women’s Association (WAWA), WIPSEN-A etc. However, the Forum ac-
knowledged that these networks often work in isolation, thus, limiting their overall impact. WACSI developed a regional civil
society directory which lists three hundred and twenty five (325)15 women’s groups and organisations operating in the region.
This accounts for an impressive number, however, the extent of collaboration and interaction between these groups is unknown.
A review of women’s coalitions, collaborations and networks that have been successful revealed that the successes were based
on clear shared values, goals and commitment. Women networks and coalitions formed on specific issues working within a pre-
determined timeframe have traditionally been more successful than women’s coalitions that metamorphose into organisations
or formalised networks. The challenges associated with the latter range from difficulties securing long term funding, leadership
tensions and sustaining growth and momentum.
The Forum noted that it was important to revive or strengthen existing networks to make them more relevant and adaptable
to the needs of the region or countries while adhering to their respective mission and values. Furthermore, it is imperative that
innovative platforms for collaboration are encouraged across the region, particularly on regional policy issues. These spaces
should be sustained by shared values and a common sense of purpose whilst maintaining individual organisational identity.
Participants envisaged this as one of the potential roles of the West African Women’s Policy Forum. The meeting designated
WACSI to create a database of women’s organisations working in the region to enable easier identification of groups with similar
missions, goals and constituencies thus fostering more strategic collaborations.
Such strategic collaborations will reduce the prevalence of tensions amongst women’s groups and networks. Overlap and du-
plications of initiatives was cited as one of the reasons for tensions. Therefore it is important that groups identify the individual
strengths and comparative advantages within collaborations. Networking based on what each participating organisation can
contribute to advance a common cause should be the goal of women’s collaborations in West Africa. There was consensus that
continued polarisation among women undermines the overall impact women can make to policy influencing.
Hon. Bamba Massany (Parliamentarian, Cote D’Ivoire) Hon. Bernadette Lahai (Parliamentarian,Sierra Leone) Ms. Deweh Gray (President - Association of Female
Lawyers of Liberia) - Liberia
15 *This number is not exhaustive.
6.0 Succession Planning in Women’s Leadership
“A key issue relevant to the discourse of women capacity to influence policy in the long term is succession planning”
he Forum noted the existing gap between the current generation of women in leadership positions and the younger
generation of potential leaders. The deteriorating financial situation in Africa has caused most young girls to prioritise
economic stability provided by jobs in the private sector such as banking and telecommunication over careers in the
not-for-profit sector, or specifically in the women’s movement. A continuation of this trend will result in a vacuum in the wom-
en’s movement if not addressed. Two case studies on how women are working to bridge this gap were presented at the forum.
6.1 The Liberian Young Girls Transformative Leaders Project
Liberia is in the process of consolidating peace after a long and brutal civil war which led to the deaths,
displacement and injury of thousands of Liberians. The war was also responsible for destabilising the lives
of children and young people. Many young people in the country have only experienced wars and have
challenges envisioning productive lives in the country. This is especially true of young girls who have faced
various forms of abuse, abandonment and deprivation as a result of the war, leaving them traumatised, with
low self esteem, and lacking basic educational skills (female literacy rate 37%). The high number of teen-
age pregnancy (according to UN report of 2001, Liberia rate among 10 highest in the world)1, prostitution,
multiple sexual relationships, maternal mortality rate of 994 per 100,000 live births, and records also shows
that 1-9 children die before five years in Liberia.
Through its work in Liberia, WIPSEN-Africa realised that many young girls have cynical views of leader-
ship and have no plans of striving for leaders spaces. The organisation designed the “Transformative Lead-
ers Project” to develop the skills and abilities of young girls to contribute to peacebuilding and community
leadership.
The project was implemented with the Ministry of Gender and Development and endorsed by President El-
len Johnson Sirleaf. WIPSEN selected three counties; Bong, Bassa, Montserrado to launch the project and
150 students were nominated from 30 schools in the 3 Counties.
The transformative leadership project was implemented in phases. In each phase the girls passed through a
series of intense leadership training and mentorship processes. Girls from each county were asked to design
community service projects to test the skills they had acquired. The innovative projects designed include es-
tablishing a reading room for other girls and instituting peer learning programmes in schools. These projects
will remain as platforms for training more girls.
At the end of the project 20 girls graduated successfully and 5 were selected as “Girls of Distinction” for
showing exemplary leadership qualities. These girls were presented to President Sirleaf at the International
Women’s Colloquium in March 2009.
The successful implementation of the Transformative Leaders project in these counties has led to the gov-
ernment of Liberia requesting WIPSEN to expand to other counties.
1 Source: See the United Nations Organisation at www.un.org
6.2 Enhancing Young Girls Leadership in Nigeria: KIND’s Experience
In Nigeria, though there are a plethora of women’s groups and the country has a strong history of women
activism, women still struggle to penetrate decision-making spaces. Women’s access to leadership positions is
constrained by several factors including traditional, religious and cultural attitudes which cause discrimina-
tion. Furthermore not many qualified women aspire to lead in public spheres. There are less than 10 percent
of women in political offices at federal, state levels, and as such, women’s overall leverage on policy influencing
processes is weak.(See Table 2)
A number of credible women’s organisations have been working to enhance women’s representation in deci-
sion making. They include; BAOBAB for Women Human’s Rights (BAOBAB), Alliance for Africa (AfA),
Gender and Development Action (GADA). Nevertheless, the understandable focus on positioning women
in decision making has led to less focus on building the capacity of girls as aspiring leaders. To address this
gap, the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) designed a project that equips young girls with leadership
skills.
KIND was established following the death of Kudirat Abiola, a leading democracy activist who was assas-
sinated in 1996.1 In 1999, KIND opened its office in Nigeria and instituted the “KIND’s Young Women’s
Leadership Programme which provides training for young girls in democratic values and the importance of
participating in governance. In 2005, KIND built on the young women Leadership programme by offering
“Kudra”, a leadership programme for Young Women in universities. The target universities in the first three
years of Kudra were in Lagos, Bornu and Cross Rivers States.
The programme develops and promotes a new generation of female leaders to serve in their communities
and participate effectively in democracy in Nigeria. KIND currently serves 3,250 young women in five (5)
Nigerian universities2. Through these initiatives, KIND has been able to increase the interest of young girls in
leadership, and governance towards building a caliber of potential leaders.
Additionally, KIND is committed to building the skills and confidence of young women to patriarchal stereo-
types. Through the “Empower” project the organisation has been able to train and build the capacity of 100
young university women in Ogun State, Nigeria, funded 5 established youth networks (“KIND Clubs”) in 5
other universities (Cross River, Lagos, Plateau, Anambra and Borno States), and an internship programme.
The trainings are intended to develop the young women’s leadership skills, provide information on sexual and
reproductive health and rights; build negotiation and communication skills; and strengthen capacities for
career planning, financial management, entrepreneurship and advocacy.
1 Source: http://www.kind.org/ accessed 17 April, 2009

2 Source: http://www.kind.org/files/2004_annual_report.pdf accessed 17 April, 2009
These two case studies from Liberia and Nigeria illustrate the importance of developing policies and programmes that build
the leadership potential of young girls. The Forum was urged to provide opportunities for young girls and women to partici-
pate in subsequent meetings. Women’s groups working across the region were also encouraged to include initiatives for girls in
their programme strategy, particularly in areas of advocacy, leadership and governance.
7.0 Establishing Regional and International Linkages
elegates stressed the importance of the proposed West Africa Women’s Forum in forging linkages with women’s ini-
tiatives and groups across the continent and in other parts of the world. Though West Africa’s policy environment is
peculiar, the challenges facing women’s ability to influence policies are global. Women in other parts of Africa have a
lot to learn from West Africa women’s agency and it is paramount that the Women’s Forum makes attempts to build alliances
with other women’s groups on the continent. The continent is rich with examples of groups working through alliances to bring
about policy changes that favour women and these experiences can be shared. It will also be important for the Forum to work
closely with active networks such as ISIS WICCE (ISIS Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange), SWEP (Sudanese
Women Empowerment for Peace), NESI Network, SIHA (Strategic Initiative for Horn of Africa Women), African Women
Development Communication Network (FEMNET) who have wide memberships and can incorporate more voices into the
Forum’s discussions.
The Forum and these networks should seek ways of cooperating with regional bodies such as the Intergovernmental Authority
on Development (IGAD), Southern African Development Community (SADC), ECOWAS and AU on national issues with
continental ramifications such as Zimbabwe’s political tensions, the conflict in DRC, and military coups in Guinea Bissau and
Republic of Guinea. Strong linkages across regions have the potential of exerting necessary pressure on regional bodies to move
from policy rhetoric to action.
Top: (L-R) Hon. Vabah Gayflor (Minister of Gender ) - Liberia, Dr. Helen Scalon (Gender Program Coord. - ICTJ); Rosalie Lo Ndiaye (Board Member - WIPSEN Africa)
Above left: Sitting L-R: Gloria Steinem, Dorcas Coker-Appiah, Deweh Gray and Abigail Disney exchanging ideas in a group discussion. Above right: Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (Executive
Director - AWDF) - Ghana
8.0 Designing Regional Strategy for Women’s
Policy Influencing
he Forum deliberated on the need to develop an informed strategy for women’s groups to effectively influence national
and regional policy processes in West Africa. Such strategy should consist of guidelines for enhancing women’s col-
laborations at various levels in the region and avenues for cross-fertilisation of knowledge and skills.
Specifically, the Forum stressed the need for a targeted strategy for engaging at the regional level, particularly with the ECOW-
AS Gender and Development Centre (EGDC)16 in Dakar, Senegal. The Centre should become a convening platform for
women to influence the policies and practices of ECOWAS. Therefore proactive measures to support the Centre are required.
The Centre also needs to popularise its activities and provide opportunities for a broader base of women’s groups to work with it.
Participants also stressed that, overall, women’s groups lack the requisite advocacy skills to engage policymakers. Therefore, the
strategy should contain a strong component on capacity building; particularly in policy writing, presentation skills, coalition
building and documentation.
The strategy should identify “champions” or “drivers” who will keep it focused and maintain the momentum. It is important that
the regional strategy examines and addresses continental and international issues that affect women and the implementation of
international instruments that promote women’s human rights.
Highlighting the difficulties in influencing policies, participants urged that the regional strategy should involve women in gov-
ernment and civil society working together on key issues affecting the region. Modalities for that collaboration should be a focus
area of future Policy Forums.
9.0 Conclusion
est Africa is on a promising trajectory towards consolidating regional integration, democracy, good governance,
peace and development. However, there are a number of challenges still facing the region ranging from unemploy-
ment, political tensions in some countries, heightened drug and human trafficking and economic crisis.
The task of addressing these challenges requires the collective efforts of all segments of West African societies. However, women remain
largely absent or unrepresented from decision making spaces where policies are formulated and as a result are often adversely affected
by the implementation of such policies.
The 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum was organised in recognition of this gap in policy processes. The Forum provided a
platform for a cross section of women from government and civil society to deliberate on the issues facing the region and on how to
reposition women in the policy environment. The meeting reaffirmed the importance of women’s collaborating to influence policies
that affect the lives and rights of women at all levels in the region. The high participation of government and civil society underscored
the recognition by both sectors of the need to identify more functional avenues for collaboration and interaction. The consensus at the
Forum was that “we need each other” and commitments were made to build trust and interactions between women in civil society and
government.
A key outcome of the Forum was the nomination of a group of women to serve as an ‘Advisory Panel’ to the Forum to guide engage-
ments with policy makers. The conveners of the 1st Forum; WACSI and WIPSEN-Africa were mandated to lead the process of
organising future forums. However, it was stressed that the role played by these organisations would only be facilitating the process.
16 The EGDC was established in January 2003 at the 26th Session of the Heads of State and Government held in Dakar, Senegal where its headquarters is based. It is also a product
of the ECOWAS Gender Policy. The Centre also works in conjunction with member states as well as sub-regional and international bodies to advance gender equity and women
empowerment, as part of efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For more see http://allafrica.com/stories/200710030627.html accessed 28 April, 2009
10.0 Policy Recommendations
The 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum that held in Accra, Ghana on December 2 - 3, 2008 offered Sixteen (16) key
policy recommendations to enhance the involvement of women in leadership and decision making processes across the region.
The recommendations outlined below are directed at ECOWAS, National governments, and Civil society.
ECOWAS:
♦ As the most progressive regional body on the continent, ECOWAS should increase the numbers of women in key
decision making positions at the Commission and other institutions. It is important that the African Union’s standard
of gender parity be adopted at all levels;
♦ ECOWAS and in particular the Gender and Development Centre in Dakar and the Gender Unit at the Commission
should develop more inclusive ways of working with women’s groups to achieve the implementation of its protocols
and other policies. The Centre should be a “rallying ground” for women in the region. For example, given the unique
impact of migration on women, the Gender Centre should lead the process of placing women at the core of imple-
menting the Protocol on Free Movement, Right of Residence and Establishment;
♦ First Ladies in West Africa through the auspices of the ECOWAS Gender Centre and national gender ministries
should be targeted to become involved in policy formulation processes at national and regional levels;
♦ ECOWAS leaders should invest in strengthening the Gender and Development Centre in Dakar, to enable it play a
more influential and constructive role in policy processes;
National Governments:
♦ Governments should close the gap between signing and adopting instruments and implementation. There should be
more commitment by States to fully domesticate CEDAW, The Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of
Women, and the ECOWAS gender policy;
♦ Given the appallingly low representation of women at national decision making structures, governments in the region
should recommit to ensuring a minimum 30 per cent of women at all levels of government;
♦ West African women in government positions should view women in civil society as allies and forge more strategic and
interdependent relationships that will enhance women’s ability to influence policies;
Civil Society:
♦ Women’s organisations should intensify their commitment to mentorship by creating opportunities for young girls to
participate and benefit from training programmes, workshops, and leadership initiatives in order to facilitate continuity
in women’s representation in decision making;
♦ Women in civil society should make overtures towards women in government and endeavor to provide technical as-
sistance on issues that affect women in the region. A starting point should be for women in both sectors to work on the
common cause of increasing the numerical representation of women at all levels of decision making;
♦ Women’s groups in civil society should increase their visibility within the sector and across the region by playing more
critical roles in policy formulation processes. For example, women should become more vocal and visible in tradition-
ally male sectors such as security, economic development and policy analysis;
♦ Women’s groups should enhance mechanisms for quality collaboration by maximising efforts and reducing unhealthy
competition and rivalry. A database of women’s initiatives outlining areas of specialisation should be developed to
improve cooperation;
Joint Recommendations
♦ The forum recommended the formation of a “West Africa Women’s Advisory Panel” comprising of women in govern-
ment, civil society and the private sector to support the gender structures at ECOWAS and provide policy advice to
national governments;
♦ Peace and security remains a high priority issue in West African countries, therefore, all actors should enhance efforts
to domesticate the implementation of related peace and security instruments such as the United Nations Security
Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820. The processes of developing national action plans for Resolution 1325 should be
accelerated in all countries. Lessons should be learned from Liberia’s experience of developing a national action plan
on the Resolution;
♦ Given the male dominated state of the security sector in countries across West Africa, women’s advocacy on engender-
ing the security sector should increase. This advocacy should involve calling for institutional gender policies that guide
the recruitment, retention and protection of women in the security sector;
♦ Women from all sectors should organise around upcoming elections in West Africa and become more engaged in pre
and post electoral processes. Lessons on the roles Ghanaian women played in the country’s 2008 elections should be
documented and shared in the region; and
♦ Finally, women should advocate for their visible inclusion in the implementation of the proposed ECOWAS vision
20/20 “ECOWAS of the People: Towards a Democratic and Prosperous Community”.
Participants at the 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum are exercising after a long day of deliberation
Abigail Disney (President - Daphne Foundation) - USA (L-R) Yvette Chesson-Wureh (Manager - International Women’s Colloquium) - Liberia;
Ms. Sindi M. Gould (Executive Director - BAOBAB) - Nigeria
Funmi Alexander Balogun (IPPF ) - Kenya Ruth Ochieng (Executive Director - ISIS-WICCE) - Uganda
(L-R) Salimata Thiam (Head, Policy and Programmes - ECOWAS Gender and (L-R) Cornellie Ayite (Director - Magazine le Fleuron et Ass. Pour Un Devt. des Initia-
Development Centre); Abla William (Deputy Commissioner - BIN) - Liberia tives Feminines); Dorothée Ebina Mumbambi (Centre d’Actions et d’Aide au
Developpement) - Togo
APPENDIX 1
List of Participants at the 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum:
“Assessing the Gains, Advancing the Agenda” December 2 – 3, 2008
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
S/N Names Department
1. Hon. Vabah Gayflor Ministry of Gender and Development, Liberia
2. Hon. Jeneh Kandeh Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Sierra Leone
3. Hon. Bernadette Lahai Sierra Leone Parliament
4. Hon. Bamba Massany Cote d’Ivoire Parliament
5. Cecilia Kaikai Prisons Service Sierra Leone
6. Cllr. Abla G. Williams Immigration Services, Liberia
7. Julia Duncan-Cassell Superintendent Liberia
8. Mariam Tackie Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ghana
9. Salimata Thiam ECOWAS (EGDC), Senegal
10. Barkie N. Remoe-Doherty Sierra Leone High Commission in Accra
11. Dr. Sintiki Ugbe ECOWAS Commission, Nigeria
CIVIL SOCIETY ACTORS

S/N Names Organisations/Institutions
1. Abigail Disney Daphne Foundation, USA
2. Adjoa Bame WISE, Ghana
3. Bernice Sam WILDAF-Ghana
4. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi African Women’s Development Fund – AWDF, Ghana
5. Cllr. Yvette Chesson Wureh International Secretariat of the Women’s Colloquium, Liberia
6. Cornellie Ayite Magazine le Fleuron et Ass. Pour un Devt. des Initiatives Feminines
7. Deweh Gray Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL)
8. Dipo-Salami Olubunmi M. La-Rens Consulting, Nigeria
9. Dorcas Coker-Appiah Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Centre, Ghana
10. Dr. Achola Okeyo Mantha Foundation
11. Dr. Rose Mensah Kutin Abantu for Development, Ghana
12. Dr. Esi Sutherland Addy WACSI, Ghana
13. Dr. Nematta Majeks-Walker 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone
14. Gloria Steinem Women’s Media Center, USA
15. Hadja Ramatoulaye Sow Association des Femmes Entrepreneurs de Guinee (AFEG), Guinea
16. Dr. Helen Scanlon ICTJ, South Africa
17. Hon. Khady Fall Tall AFAO-WAWA, Senegal
18. Iheoma Obibi Alliances for Africa, Nigeria
19. Irene S. Jayee Liberia Refugee Women Organisation (LIREWO)
20. Kanyere Eaton The Sister Fund, USA
21. Marlène Seïdou Babio Assoc. des Femmes de l’Education du Benin (FAWE), Benin
22. Dorothée Ebina Mumbambi Centre d’Actions et d’Aide au Developpement (CAAD), Togo
23. Zina Pierre Washington Linkage Group, USA
24. Nuala Lawlor Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Ghana
25. Olufunmilayo A. Balogun International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Kenya
S/N Names Organisations/Institutions
26. Patricia Formadi Women and Development Project (WADEP)
27. Rosalie Lo Ndiaye WIPSEN-Africa
28. Ruth Ojiambo Ochieng ISIS WICCE, Uganda
29. Salimata Porquet (FEFEEDES – CI) & FIFEM & ECOSOCC
30. Sindi Medar Gould Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Nigeria
31. Susanne Jambu Namatovu NESI Network (New Indigenous Sudanese NGO), Sudan
32. Tatey Adzoavi Nyuito Association de Femmes Pour la Santeetle Devt. (ALAFIA)
33. Wynyfred Onung Achu Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), Nigeria
34. Yasmin Jusu-Sheriff MARWOPNET, Sierra Leone
35. Yvonne Moore Daphne Foundation, USA
36. Blanche Selmah WIPSEN-Africa, Liberia
37. Leymah Gbowee WIPSEN-Africa, Ghana
38. Ecoma Alaga WIPSEN-Africa, Ghana
39. Ducloux Amelien WIPSEN-Africa, Ghana
40. Christabel Nortey WIPSEN-Africa, Ghana
41. Vivian Armah WIPSEN-Africa, Ghana
42. Geraldine Graindorge WIPSEN-Africa, Ghana
43. Thelma Ekiyor WACSI, Ghana
44. Adama Sira Bah WACSI, Ghana
45. Omolara T. Balogun WACSI, Ghana
46. Katherine Adarkwa WACSI, Ghana
47. Lady Willie Harry WACSI, Ghana
48. Jenny Alu WACSI/WACSOF
Susanne Jambu Namatovu (NESI Network) - Kenya Participants at the 1st West African Women’s Policy Forum are exercising after a long day of deliberation
APPENDIX 2 - FORUM AGENDA
Day 1 OPENING SESSION
Chair: Dr. Esi Sutherland Addy, Board Member, WACSI
9.00 – 9.30 Welcome Address

Leymah Gbowee, Executive Director, WIPSEN Africa
Thelma Ekiyor, Executive Director, WACSI
9.30 – 10.00 Keynote Address:

Hon. Vabah Gayflor, Minister for Gender and Development - Liberia
10.00-10.45 Goodwill Message:

Hon. Jeneh Kandeh, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and
Children’s Affairs - Sierra Leone
Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Executive Director of AWDF, Ghana
Abigail Disney, Daphne Foundation, USA
10.45–11.00 Tea/Coffee
11.00–11.30 SESSION 1: Reviewing the “Status of Women’s Leadership in West Africa”

Chair: Dorcas Coker-Appiah, Board Member, WIPSEN Africa
“Key findings on “the status of women’s leadership in West Africa”
Presenter:
Bunmi Dipo-Salami, WACSI Consultant/Lead Researcher
11.30-12.30 SESSION 2: Tracking progress and challenges in women’s peace and security
Chair: Dr. Sintiki Ugbe, ECOWAS Director, Gender, Youth, Civil Society, Employment,
Drug Control- ECOWAS.
Presenters:
Yasmin Jusu-Sheriff, MARWOPNET – Sierra Leone
Ecoma Alaga, WIPSEN-Africa, Ghana
Mme. Salimata Porquet, Activist, Cote d’Ivoire
12.30-1.30 SESSION 3: Prospects of linking policy and practice in women’s peace and security
Chair: Bisi Adeleye Fayemi, Executive Director, AWDF, Ghana
Presenters:
Salimata Thiam, ECOWAS Gender and Development Centre, Senegal
Bernadette Lahai, Parliamentarian, Sierra Leone
Iheoma Obibi, Executive Director, Alliances for Africa, Nigeria
Hon. Bamba Massany, Parliamentarian, Cote D’Ivoire
1.30-2.30 Lunch
2.30 – 3.30 SESSION 4: Succession Planning in Women’s Leadership
Chair: Hon. Jeneh Kandeh, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender
and Children’s Affairs, Sierra Leone
Presenters:
Leymah Gbowee, WIPSEN-Africa:
“The Liberian Young Girls Transformative Leaders Project”
Wynyfred Onung Achu, Donor Development Officer KIND:
“Enhancing Young Girls Leadership in Nigeria – KIND’s Experience”
3.30 – 4.30: SESSION 5: Presentation and Discussion on the 2009 International Women’s Colloquium
Chair: Thelma Ekiyor, Executive Director WACSI.
Presenters:
Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh, Coordinator of the International Secretariat of the
Women’s Leadership Colloquium.
6.30 Welcome Cocktail:

Documentary Viewing: “Pray the Devil Back to Hell”
Chair: Kanyere Eaton, Sister Fund. USA
Presenters:
Abigail Disney, Daphne Foundation, USA
Leymah Gbowee, WIPSEN-Africa, Ghana.
End of day 1
Day 2:
9.00 – 10.30:
10.30–11.00 Tea/Coffee
11.30–12.45 SESSION 7: Establishing regional and international linkages

Chair: Abigail Disney, Daphne Foundation, USA.
Susanne Jambu Namatovu, Nairobi, Kenya.

Ruth Ojiambo Ochieng, ISIS WICCE, Uganda.
Gloria Steinem, USA.
Zina Pierre, USA.
12.45 – 1.45 SESSIONS 8: Documentary Viewing

Chair: Deweh Gray President,
Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), Liberia

Presenter:
Ruth Ojiambo Ochieng, ISIS WICCE, Uganda
1.45–2.45 Lunch
2.45–3.45 SESSION 9: Designing Regional Strategy for Women’s Policy influencing

Chair: Olufunmilayo Alexander Balogun,
Gender Advisor International Planned Parenthood Federation.
Facilitators:
Group 1: Dr. Helen Scanlon, ICTJ, South Africa: Research and Documentation
Group 2: Sindi Eldora Gould, Executive Director, BAOBAB: Training and Capacity Building
Group 3: Yvonne Moore, Executive Director Daphne Foundation, USA: Mobilising resources to support
women’s policy advocacy
Group 4: Rosalie Lo Ndiaye, Board member, WIPSEN Africa: Joint Policy Initiatives between CSOs
and Government
3.45–4.30 Group Presentations/Discussions
5.00 Way Forward
End of Forum
Notes
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1st West African Women’s Policy Forum

“Assessing the Gains,

“Assessing the Gains,

Policy Forum’s Report

December 2-3, 2008

Rapporteur: Ms. Omolara T. Balogun1

1 Omolara T. Balogun is a “Next Generation” Intern at WACSI.

About the Partners .................................…............................................................………............….....................…....6

Executive Summary .....................................................................................................................……….......................8

1.0 Introduction …........................................................................…………............................................….…....11

1.1 Aims and Objectives of the Forum ...................................................……….....................................…….…..11

1.2 Themes of the Forum ...............……....................................………………........................................….…..11

2.0 A Review of the “Status of Women’s Leadership in West Africa” ...............….................................................. 11

3.0 Tracking Progress and Challenges in Women’s Policy Influencing ...................................................................15

3.1 Drug Trafficking ............…............................................................................................................... 15

3.2 Sub-regional Integration, Migration and Free movement of people ..................................................16

3.3 Peace and Security ...............................................................................................................................17

5.0 Revisiting Women’s Networking and Collaboration in West Africa ......................………..................…….21

6.0 Succession Planning in Women’s Leadership …............................................................................................. 22

6.2 Enhancing Young Girls Leadership in Nigeria: KIND’s Experience ..............................................23

7.0 Establishing regional and international linkages ……................………..........................................................24

8.0 Designing Regional Strategy for Women’s Policy influencing …...............................................…..................25

9.0 Conclusion ………….........................................................................................................……...............25

10.0 Policy Recommendations …............................................................................................................................26

Appendix 1: List of Participants ……..................................................................................…..................................29

Appendix 2: Agenda …………......................................................................................……..................................31

About OSI International Women’s Programme

The Forum had four (4) main objectives:

This address was supported by discussions on seven core themes:

Ms. Thelma Ekiyor

1.1 Aim and Objectives of the Forum

1.2 Themes of the Forum

2.0 Reviewing the “Status of Women’s

Lower Houses Upper House or Senate

The research highlighted several factors that

No Country Position Name Year

Source: http://www.infoplease.com/world/leaders (Accessed on 28 February, 2009)

Some key findings from the research for the im-

♦ Integration of gender issues and concerns

♦ Facilitation of consultative processes and

3.0 Tracking Progress and Challenges in

3.1 Drug Trafficking

3.3 Peace and Security

9 See http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/17/2/41400366.pdf accessed 17 April, 2009

Date of receipt of the instrument of

2. Burkina Faso -- 14 Oct. 1987 – A

4. Cape Verde -- 5 Dec. 1980 – A

5. Chad -- 9 Jun. 1995 – A

6. Cote d'Ivoire 17 Jul. 1980 18 Dec. 1995 – A

7. Gabon 17 Jul. 1980 21 Jan. 1983

8. Gambia 29 Jul. 1980 16 Apr. 1993

Source: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/states.htm accessed 28 April, 2009.

2. Burkina Faso 26 Feb. 2004 09 Jun. 2006 09 Aug.2006

4. Cape Verde -- 21 Jun. 2005 22 Jul. 2005

15 *This number is not exhaustive.

6.1 The Liberian Young Girls Transformative Leaders Project

1 Source: See the United Nations Organisation at www.un.org

1 Source: http://www.kind.org/ accessed 17 April, 2009

CIVIL SOCIETY ACTORS

Chair: Dr. Esi Sutherland Addy, Board Member, WACSI

9.00 – 9.30 Welcome Address

9.30 – 10.00 Keynote Address:

10.00-10.45 Goodwill Message:

11.00–11.30 SESSION 1: Reviewing the “Status of Women’s Leadership in West Africa”