The President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E. Kadré Desire Ouédraogo has felicitated with the industrious and wonderful women of West Africa on the occasion of the International Women’s Day celebrated globally on 8 March.

In keeping with the theme chosen by the United Nations for the celebration this year –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.

He said the Commission and other Community Institutions will continue to build on the achievements already recorded in this regard and pursue the cause of women empowerment and development through capacity building.

President Ouédraogo paid glowing tributes to women of West Africa for standing side by side with men from the period of independence struggle of Member States to the present time when they continue to serve as pillars of families and societies and great nation builders.

He said it is heartening that in the ECOWAS region women have meritoriously risen to the highest level of leadership in all human endeavours including as President, Vice president, Chief Justices, Government Ministers, Nobel Laureates and distinguished regional and national lawmakers.

The President notes 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.

He believes that women in the ECOWAS 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.

The President assured the women of the commitment and determination of the Commission and other Community institutions to continue to work for the empowerment of women politically and economically to enable them realize their full potential and contribute even more positively to regional integration and development efforts.

He wishes the women of ECOWAS a very happy International Women’s Day.