The President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo and the President of the Spanish Foundation “Mujeres por Africa” (Women for Africa), Madame Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega signed a Memorandum of understanding on gender equality and women empowerment in West Africa on monday 11th of March, 2013 in Abuja .
The Memorandum of understanding signed between ECOWAS and the Foundation ‘’ Women for Africa” is intended to record the Parties’ will to collaborate, in order to promote gender equality and establish a general framework of that collaboration. The Memorandum also commits both parties to cooperate mainly on women empowerment espacially in the vital sectors of education, healthcare and economic development.
During the signing ceremony, two speeches were delivered. The President of the Commission first expressed his gratitude to Spain for its openness to the developing world , he also thanked the Foundation ‘’Women for Africa” for its commitment to African women empowerment.
The second speech delivered by the President of the Foundation ‘’Women for Africa” emphasized ECOWAS decisive steps towards Women’s empowerment. She asked for support, particularly in the field of conflict resolution and young girls’ education.
The signing ceremony of the Memorandum took place at the headquarters of the ECOWAS Commission in presence of ECOWAS Commissioners Dr. Adrienne Diop in charge of Human Development and Gender, and Madame. Khadi Ramatu Saccoh, in charge of Administration and Finance. A delegation of the Chancellery of Spain in Nigeria also attended the ceremony.
This Cooperation Agreement between ECOWAS and the Foundation ‘’Women for Africa” comes four days after the celebration across the world of the International Women’s Day, and only two months after the visit of Madame. Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women to ECOWAS. This visit was also focused on deepening cooperation between ECOWAS and UN Women in the areas of Gender equality, Private sector, women empowerment and their role in the Mediation process for Peace and Security in West Africa.