ECOWAS to launch Gender Equality Seal initiative next year

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to launch a Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions initiative next year. This move signals an intensified effort to promote gender equality throughout the sub-region.

The program is designed to help ECOWAS public institutions improve gender mainstreaming. It will involve assessing their performance against recognized international standards and implementing reforms to foster gender-responsive governance. The initiative is a collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), with the ultimate goal of achieving the highest "Gold Seal" certification.

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We need to practice better what we are preaching. We implement programmes across the ECOWAS region, but within the institution we need to take a closer look at gender equality.

Sandra Oulaté Fattoh, Director of the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, announced the plan during a regional meeting in Accra. The meeting focused on finalizing a comprehensive action plan for rolling out the initiative across all ECOWAS institutions. Participants reviewed evidence against the program's benchmarks and completed ECOWAS' self-assessment in preparation for the implementation phase.

Ms. Oulaté Fattoh emphasized that the initiative will scrutinize gender equality within ECOWAS's own structures, including recruitment, leadership roles, career advancement, and staff representation. "We need to practice better what we are preaching," she stated, highlighting the importance of the institution serving as a model for its member states. She also commended Ghana for its leadership in advancing gender equality initiatives within the region.

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The Commission must serve as a model so that when we engage our member states on gender equality, we can point to our own institution as an example. We must practise what we preach.