Officials and participants at the launch of ECOGO
THE ECONOMIC Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched the ECOWAS Gender Observatory (ECOGO).
The platform is designed to equip gender focal persons of ministries and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of member states with the requisite knowledge to manage data as well as harness gains towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
At a ceremony in Accra, the Director of Women, Gender and Youth Directorate at the African Union Commission, Prudence Ngwenya, noted that the platform would provide a long-term sustainable response to the generation and management of data challenges.
She said the platform would not only be a repository of data, but also a dynamic platform that would enable the Commission to collect, analyse, and disseminate gender-disaggregated data across the region, helping the Commission make data-driven decisions while providing insights into gender related issues across the region.
“The observatories will provide critical insights into gender disparities in various sectors, including education, health, economic participation, and political representation by enhancing evidence-based decision-making for policymakers at regional and national levels. By harnessing this data, we can craft targeted interventions that address the specific needs of women, youth and marginalised groups, ensuring that no one is left behind”, she said.
Dr. Mathias Naab, Director UNDP- Regional Service Centre for Africa stressed that the creation and launch of the ECOWAS Gender Observatory represent a “crucial and timely” endeavour which would empower the region to boldly confront obstacles and rigorously monitor Member States’ compliance with commitments on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
He added that the initiative “strongly aligns” with the agency’s Gender Equality Strategy and the Renewed Strategic Offer for Africa (2022-2025).
Head, Department of Gender, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Faustina Acheampong, speaking at the training ceremony noted that the workshop was timely as it brought together decision makers from ECOWAS member States and other key stakeholders to gain the vital knowledge to further strengthen gender equality and women’s empowerment.
BY Nii Adjei Mensahfio