The SSAP Community Engagement participated in the Regional Conference on Promoting Electoral Integrity and Peaceful Participation through Electoral Literacy for Women and Young Women in West Africa, taking place from 27th to 28th October 2026 in Abuja.
Organised under the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, the conference provides an important platform to advance inclusive democratic participation, strengthen electoral integrity, and promote peaceful participation, particularly among women and young people.
In my remarks, I acknowledged the challenges women face in politics, governance, and leadership, drawing from my personal experience of contesting in elections twice. The journey has reinforced my understanding of the barriers women must overcome to pursue their political aspirations and leadership ambitions.
Across west Africa, religious beliefs, cultural practices, and prevailing social norms continue to present significant obstacles to women’s political participation and their ability to actualise their dreams and ambitions. Addressing these barriers requires deliberate efforts, institutional support, and an enabling environment where women can participate meaningfully and compete fairly in the political space.
I also acknowledged the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to creating an enabling environment for women to thrive in governance and leadership. This commitment is reflected in his appointments, in which women constitute over 30 per cent, demonstrating the importance of women’s representation in decision-making and national development.
As we deepen our democratic culture, electoral literacy remains essential in empowering women and young people to make informed choices, understand their civic responsibilities, resist electoral violence, and contribute actively to credible, peaceful, and transparent electoral processes.
I look forward to the meaningful conversations and collaborative efforts that will strengthen women’s participation in democratic governance and contribute to sustainable peace and stability across West Africa.