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From June 04 to 08, 2024, the ECOWAS Center for Gender Development (CCDG) is organizing in Saly – Portudal, Republic of Senegal, the 2nd edition of the meeting of the regional coordinating committees of the CCDG flagship programs implemented in the 15 ECOWAS member states. The aim of the meeting is to exchange views on the state of implementation of the programs, and to formulate strong recommendations for improving their execution.
Key players and experts in the fields of education, health and women’s entrepreneurship from member states, the Commission and ECOWAS agencies are meeting to discuss the technical and financial management of the CCDG’s flagship programs, while defining the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. Work will focus in particular on: the Medical and Financial Support Program for women and girls suffering from obstetric fistula in member states; the Support Program for the Promotion of Young Girls in the Specialized Technical and Vocational Training sector, through the provision of Excellence Scholarships; and the Support Program for women involved in the processing of agricultural, fishery and craft products in ECOWAS member states.
Aware of the role of promoting gender equality and the economic and social empowerment of women and girls on economic growth and sustainable human development in the sub-region, since 2010 the CCDG has set up three programs covering the priority areas of health, education and women’s entrepreneurship.
In view of the weaknesses observed in implementation at both member state and ECOWAS levels, the CCDG has deemed it useful to organize a coordination meeting of these various committees, extended to national ECOWAS offices and Permanent ECOWAS Representations in the countries. The aim is to discuss the results of the audit report on the stock exchange program and the responses to it, as well as the technical and financial management arrangements for the various programs, while defining the roles and responsibilities of each entity: the CCDG, the Focal Points, the NCBs and the Permanent Representations.
The meeting in Saly should lead to the development of stronger and more appropriate strategies to improve the implementation of the CCDG’s flagship programs in member states.
Participants at the meeting were drawn from the Office of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Office of the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Human Development and Social Affairs Department of the ECOWAS Commission, the Legal Affairs Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission, technical agencies such as ARAA and ECREE, and the Commission’s Trade and Transport Directorates.
The meeting will also be attended by members of the Regional Coordinating Committees of the 3 CCDG flagship programs (Fistula, Bursaries and Transformation), ECOWAS Permanent Representations in member states, ECOWAS National Offices, CCDG Gender Focal Points, GIABA, technical and financial partners, experts and the CCDG.