Get-to-Know ECOWAS 2021

With the growing spate of human security challenges in West Africa, relevant stakeholders have been working extremely hard to promote inclusive and sustainable solutions to address these challenges. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 and further discuss the growing gender gap in peace and security efforts, this year’s edition of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung’s “Get to Know ECOWAS” gathered 13 young people from 7 ECOWAS countries to learn, discuss and map out strategies to improve women’s participation in promoting human security in their respective countries and the sub-region.

The 5-day event is jointly organized by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung – Nigeria, ECOWAS, European Union, and CISLAC. During the event, Delegates were exposed to the various processes and strategies of ECOWAS in promoting peace and security, including the commission’s early warning system, its shuttle diplomatic strategy, among others. Many speakers also help delegates to understand the operations of ECOWAS, its decision-making process as an inter-governmental organization, as well as its dispute resolution mechanisms. More specifically, delegates were trained on several practical models that could be adopted to further promote WPS in their respective countries.

To further strengthen the Delegates learning experience, they visited the ECOWAS Court of Justice and ECOWAS Parliament, where they were exposed to the operations of the community’s dispute resolution mechanisms, member countries’ contributions, among others.

Delegates were also given the opportunity to share their local experience in promoting women inclusion in peace and security – including the challenges and successes.