West Africa Meetings, Lagos, Nigeria, 20 February 2024 (16 Country Tracks)
Addressing the Gender Gaps in West Africa: The Pathway to Facilitating an Egalitarian Future. G100 West Africa Meetings, Lagos, Nigeria, 20 February 2024 (16 Country Tracks)
Country Tracks: Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Benin, Carpe Verde, The Gambia, Togo, Burkina Faso,
Guinea, Guinea – Bissau, Senegal, Cote D’lvoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria
The G100 West Africa Meetings took place alongside the 107th edition of the Women Economic Forum (WEF) which was held for three days in Lagos, Nigeria.
Imagine a vibrant West Africa, where the brilliance of women ignites every sector, where their voices resonate in every decision-making hall. It might seem distant, but this future is within reach. Yet, a stark reality stands in our way: a yawning chasm of gender inequality. Did you know, in this very region, women, who form over 50% of the population, hold a mere 16% of parliamentary seats? This imbalance echoes across society, from education and employment, to access to land and political participation.
Where does this gap originate? Deep-rooted norms, discriminatory laws, and economic disparities confine women to limited opportunities. Imagine a young girl forced to choose between education and early marriage, her dreams sacrificed on the altar of tradition. Picture a female farmer, barred from owning land, her harvest stolen by the weight of inequality. These are not distant stories; they are the lived realities of millions in West Africa.
