On the occasion of the International Women’s Day celebrated globally at the instance of the United Nations, on 8 March, the President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E. Kadré Desire Ouédraogo has paid glowing tributes to women of West Africa for their industry and hard work and pledged unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment.

 
The President assured that the Commission and other Community Institutions will continue to build on the achievements already recorded in this regard through capacity building for women.

 
In line with the theme for 2015 celebration –Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity – the President in his goodwill message reassured women of the Community that ECOWAS having already taken a number of steps consistent with the affirmative action on women empowerment and the Beijing Declaration will continue to work towards making gender equality a reality in the region.

 
The President acknowledged the contributions of the women of West Africa from the period of independence struggle to the present time when they continue to “serve as pillars of families and societies and great nation builders”

 
He noted that ECOWAS through the implementation of various regional and national instruments and texts such as the ECOWAS Gender Policy, has not only demonstrated unwavering commitment to breaking gender barriers, but also supports and encourages Member States to embrace gender mainstreaming and women empowerment as a deliberate policy to boost regional integration and development efforts.

 
While wishing the women in ECOWAS a very happy International Women’s Day, president Ouédraogo affirms that women in the region are equal partners with men in the collective task for the realization of the ECOWAS objectives of regional integration with equal opportunities for overall progress and development of the community.