The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) elected Togolese woman Memounatou Ibrahima as its speaker for the first time in history.
This decision was made at the plenary session of parliament during the 2024 second extraordinary session.
Representatives of member countries of the bloc become the speakers of the ECOWAS parliament on a rotational basis in alphabetical order. Ibrahima replaced Sierra Leonean Sidie Mohamed Tunis.
This decision was taken in accordance with the program to strengthen the role of women in public life, which was adopted by Africa's three largest regional associations: ECOWAS, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the East African Community. They represent 38 countries on the African continent.
The program provides concrete steps to promote 50 million African women into senior administrative and political positions, as well as into the management of private companies. The goal is to increase this representation to at least 50%.