Celebrating gender and green economy in west africa

Abidjan hosted a pivotal regional gathering this week as the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO) convened a landmark workshop on gender and green economy. The two-day event, launched in the Ivorian capital, brought together policymakers, gender experts, and climate specialists to address the intersection of women’s empowerment and sustainable transition in West Africa.

The initiative, spearheaded by the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) with support from UN Women, centered on the theme: ‘Climate action and gender-responsive green transitions in West Africa.’ Its primary goal is to establish a unified regional framework that amplifies women’s roles in environmental governance and unlocks economic opportunities tied to the green economy.

inclusive climate strategies for women in west africa

The workshop opened with a call for urgent, gender-inclusive climate solutions. Sandra Oulaté, Director of the EGDC, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, particularly in rural and agricultural sectors. She stressed that integrating gender perspectives into climate policies is essential to building resilience across the subregion.

The proposed 2030 regional program aims to bridge critical gaps by enhancing women’s access to green financing, sustainable employment, and leadership roles in environmental initiatives. By 2030, the initiative seeks to transform policy frameworks into actionable pathways for economic and ecological sustainability.

ivorian leadership in gender and climate action

Louis-Philippe Boni, representing Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of African Integration, commended the country’s strides in gender equality and environmental stewardship. He cited Côte d’Ivoire’s reforestation drives, energy transition policies, and efforts to increase women’s representation in decision-making as key drivers of progress.

Boni urged CEDEAO member states to deepen collaboration, emphasizing shared strategies to improve women’s access to green finance and climate funding mechanisms. Strengthening regional cooperation, he noted, is vital for scaling up gender-responsive climate projects.

rural women bear the brunt of climate change

Dr. Namizata Binaté, speaking for Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Women, Family, and Children, underscored the severe consequences of droughts, floods, and land degradation on rural women. She advocated for their greater involvement in climate policy design, ensuring that their voices shape solutions tailored to local realities.

The ECOWAS Commission echoed this sentiment through Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. He pointed out that women form the backbone of West Africa’s agricultural economy yet face systemic barriers in accessing land, credit, and productive resources. Promoting gender equality, he argued, is not just a matter of justice—it is a strategic investment in climate resilience.

roadmap for a greener, more equitable future

As the workshop concluded, participants finalized the contours of the regional program. Key deliverables included a clear budget framework, operational mechanisms, and a step-by-step implementation roadmap for the coming years. The goal: to ensure that gender equality and environmental sustainability are not parallel tracks, but intertwined pillars of West Africa’s development agenda.