The ECOWAS Fee has organised a Regional Assembly of Consultants from Member States on gender mainstreaming in Commerce from September 24 to 26, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The target of the three-day assembly is to advertise inclusive and sustainable commerce in ECOWAS by guaranteeing that Member Sates mainstream gender of their Nationwide Commerce insurance policies/initiatives according to regional approaches and pointers, in addition to empower girls in enterprise. The assembly will even present a platform for commerce and gender focal factors to share varied nationwide initiatives and challenges and solicit their enter and validation of related neighborhood texts.
The opening ceremony, which was moderated by Mr. Kolawole SOFOLA, the Director of Commerce of the ECOWAS Fee, featured remarks by the European Union, ECOWAS and Nigeria.
In his remarks, Mr. Isioma Frank OKAFOR, Consultant of the European Union Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS, pressured that the concentrate on mainstreaming gender in nationwide commerce insurance policies and initiatives is just not solely well timed however important. This he mentioned will be sure that girls are empowered and have equal alternatives in enterprise.
Whereas welcoming delegates to the assembly, Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, the Commissioner for Financial Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Fee, highlighted that ladies owned companies usually wrestle to entry export markets, and girls employees are overrepresented in low-wage, low-skilled sectors and commerce insurance policies regularly overlook gender-specific wants and views resulting in the prevailing inequalities.
The Commissioner emphasised that “addressing these disparities is essential for selling inclusive and equitable commerce practices, unlocking the potential of girls entrepreneurs and employees, and guaranteeing that worldwide commerce advantages all members of the society”
In her assertion, Professor Fatou SOW SARR, the Commissioner for Human Improvement and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Fee, highlighted that the
founding fathers of ECOWAS thought of commerce as a certain and speedy technique of reaching regional integration.
“Along with being a supply of earnings, it performs an vital position in sustainable growth due to its contribution to nationwide and regional progress. It additionally contributes to the empowerment of girls by guaranteeing their entry to sources and management over them” she added.
Dr. Simon OMO-EZOMO, Director for Particular Duties, Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in his opening remarks, pressured the significance of inclusive and sustainable commerce within the ECOWAS Area. Including that by guaranteeing that Gender is mainstreamed in our commerce insurance policies, we will create a extra equitable and affluent buying and selling setting that advantages all members of our society, particularly girls.
The Assembly which is attended by Gender and Commerce Consultants from ECOWAS Member States, Gender and Commerce Stakeholders from the Area, and Representatives from the ECOWAS Fee will Validate Commerce and Gender Plan of Motion (2024-2027), contemplate commerce devices and initiatives, contemplate the findings of a research on Ladies in Commerce, current regional initiatives and worldwide finest practices on commerce facilitation and gender, and contemplate approaches of mainstreaming gender into commerce coverage, amongst others.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS).