From 5 to 6 December 2024, the “Event for Local Women Leaders in Western Africa” was hosted in Lomé with the aim of bringing forward the debate on how to enhance women’s engagement and full participation in political and public life in the region.

The conference, convened by the European Commission, in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CGLF), gathered around 60 women mayors and elected officials to discuss challenges, priorities and achievements regarding women’s political participation in West Africa, share practices and ideas about effective actions against violence against women in politics and lift up strategies for engaging more young women in politics, while enhancing intergenerational mentorship and collaboration.

The event, held as part of the strategic collaboration between the above organizations under the Framework Partnership Agreement, was the occasion for UCLG to bring the focus on women’s participation at the local level through its contribution to the WYDE Women’s Leadership Initiative. Launched in March this year, the initiative is led by UN Women and funded by the European Commission, in partnership with UCLG, International IDEA and the Inter-Parliamentary Union to amplify the voices of locally elected women, support their networks, create reciprocal empowerment through capacity-building, and transform social norms to create equitable local democracies. 

Marlene Holzner, Head of Unit on Local Authorities, Civil Society Organisations and Foundations (G2), DG INTPA, European Commission, set the scene for collaborations with local governments to power Women’s polítical participation alongside Yawa Kouigan, President of the National Association of Communes and Minister for Communications and Medias of Togo, Prof. Kossiva Zinsou-Klassou, Minister for Social Action, Solidarity and Women of Togo, and Rohey Malick Lowe, Mayor of Banjul, President of the Network of Locally Elected Women in Africa (REFELA), and member of the UCLG Standing Committee on Gender Equality, who shared inspiring words:

“As a woman leader in Africa and the first female mayor in my country, I have lived the profound challenges women face in political participation. But I have also witnessed the extraordinary transformative power women possess to shape our cities and territories. We are defenders of rights, builders of futures, and the heart of our communities. This commitment is deeply rooted in the legacy of the Municipalist Movement, which has championed equality and justice for over a century. From the early peace efforts of the 20th century to the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995, we have continually emphasized the role of local governance in achieving global equality. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform in 2025, our resolve is stronger than ever. We are planning a great roadmap for these celebrations, including active engagement in the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2025, the High-Level Political Forum in July 2025 where we will review the localization of SDG 5, and the World Social Summit in November 2025.  Looking ahead to these milestones, UCLG’s political vision remains firmly rooted in care as a transformative axis for resilience and equity.” 

During the two days of conference, UCLG was represented by several women mayors and elected officials including Koubounou Touni, Mayor of Doufelgou (Togo), Marie Angèle Meyang Épse Noah, Mayor of Afanloum and President of REFELA-Cameroon, Cecilia Anaman, Member of the Elected Assembly of Ogbojo (Ghana), Harlette Kouame Badou N’Guessan, Mayor of Arrah and First Vice-President of the Union of Cities and Municipalities of Ivory Coast, Lucie Sessinou Ablawa Épse Tidjani, Mayor of Kétou and President of the Network of Elected Women Councillors of Benin (RéFEC) and President of REFELA-Benin, Siah Keah Victor, Mayor of Bopolu (Liberia), Mamou Bamba Diabaté, Mayor of Pélengana (Mali) and President of REFELA-Mali, Yvonne Ebodiam Tchoumbi Épse Heidi, Mayor of Nkongsamba (Cameroon), as well as Gertrude Nadia Sena Dossa, Deputy Mayor, Chief of the 2nd district of Porto Novo (Benin), Aissata Bâ, Deputy Mayor of Sebkha (Mauritania), and Nadia Debe, Municipal Councillor of the 2nd district Council of Golf 6 (Togo), all three members of the YELO Network.

Discussions offered the opportunity to stress out that, although patriarchal social norms continue to hinder progress, and resistance to women's participation in decision-making still remains often accompanied by gender-based violence – both physical and psychological, both offline and online – the local level presents a unique opportunity to empower women in public office and as active leaders within communities.

In this context, debates raised the attention on the key and critical role of local and regional governments (LRGs) in West Africa and globally in addressing the systemic roots of violence against women and girls in public and political life, including harassment, threats, and exclusion from leadership roles. Through a human rights-based approach rooted in trust, dialogue, and accountability, LRGs promote policies that challenge longstanding inequalities, foster inclusivity, and protect women in political spaces. At the center of the discussions was also the question of key strategies to engage more young women in politics, and intergenerational mentorship and collaboration, with a strong representation of the YELO network, uniting young elected officials from all the continent. Young women leaders, infused with a spirit of radical imagination, breathe new life into our collective governance systems, revitalizing our capacities and power to create lasting change.

Focus in Banjul: the challenges, opportunities and priorities of the first-ever woman mayor in the Gambia 

As a bit of taste of the inspiring conversation the conference brought up, we offer to read below the fireside chat held with Mayor of Banjul, President of REFELA and member of the UCLG Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Rohey Malick Lowe, where she developed key ideas on local leadership, violence against women, and the role of networks. Not only she emphasized the unique opportunity the event provided to discuss the fight for equality at the local level in Africa but she also generously shared her own personal experiences in overcoming challenges, including political violence and highlighting her commitment to amplifying women's voices in local governance and democracy. She also outlined her vision for networks of women elected officials and the future of women’s political participation, stressing its importance as a key pillar in promoting inclusive and resilient local governments across the continent.

Question: What inspired you to dedicate yourself to local politics?

Answer: My commitment to local politics stems from a deep belief that change begins at the grassroots level. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how my father who was mayor of Banjul then used local decisions to impact daily life, from education and healthcare to infrastructure and the protection of rights of the vulnerable, especially the women. However, I also observed that women's voices were often sidelined in some critical discussions. I was motivated to become part of the political process to ensure that the concerns of women, particularly those in marginalized communities, were heard and addressed.

Could you share a specific challenge in your journey and how you managed to overcome it?

A significant challenge I faced early in my journey was the deeply entrenched patriarchy and the societal expectation that women should not hold leadership roles, especially in politics. Take note that I am the first even elected female mayor in The Gambia. There were moments when my leadership and capabilities were questioned, and I was often dismissed or ignored. Overcoming this required a combination of resilience, strategic alliance-building, and proving through action that women can lead effectively. I found strength in the support of other women leaders in various sectors and by continuously demonstrating the positive impact of our leadership on our communities. This has been a key part of my journey and my ability to bring about meaningful change.

Could you share the story of a successful policy or process you led, that was especially meaningful to you?

One of the most meaningful initiatives I led was a policy aimed at improving access to education for girls especially in the rural areas. Through collaboration with local governments of the region and territory, we introduced a series of community-based educational programs that made schools more accessible and relevant to the needs of girls. This included sensitization campaigns for families about the importance of girls' education. The result was a significant increase in enrollment rates, and more importantly, it empowered families to invest in their daughters' futures. Knowing that this policy directly impacted the lives of young girls has been a deeply fulfilling experience.

I am also improving the provision of water for women through the Women for Water Initiative throughout the country. This initiative aims at empowering the water economically by helping them have water in their gardens to improve the yields of vegetables for sale boosting economic empowerment of the women.

Question: Violence in politics, particularly against women, remains a major challenge. What should we prioritize to create a safer and more equitable environment for women in local politics?

Answer: Violence in politics, especially against women, is an issue that requires urgent action. We need to prioritize creating laws and policies that protect women from violence and harassment in politics. Additionally, it's crucial to have strong support systems for women who face such violence, including legal, psychological, and community-based support. We must work to change the culture of political spaces, so that harassment, intimidation, and violence are not tolerated and are swiftly addressed. This includes promoting awareness and advocacy campaigns to challenge harmful stereotypes and behaviours that contribute to violence in political spaces.

To create a safer and more equitable environment for women in politics, we must prioritize three main areas:

• The first is the Legal and Institutional Frameworks: there is the need to strengthening laws that protect women from political violence and ensuring these laws are enforced.
• Secondly, it is important to train and raise awareness in the society: Providing training for political actors, security forces, and the media to address and combat gender-based violence in politics will go a long way to create a safer space for women in politics.
• In addition, it is necessary to build strong support and solidarity networks: Building strong networks of support for women politicians where they can seek advice, share experiences, and have the collective power to hold institutions accountable when abuses occur will be a motivational factor for the women.

Question: As the President of REFELA, what is your vision for advancing women’s political participation in Africa and their contribution to democracy?

Answer: My vision is to see a continent where women are not only equal participants in local governance but are leading with the same level of influence and respect as their male counterparts. I envision a scenario where women’s contributions to the democratic process are fully recognized, and systems are in place to support their leadership at every level, from local government level to national governments. This requires shifting societal perceptions, creating equal opportunities, and removing barriers that prevent women from engaging fully in political life.

What is your boldest and most ambitious dream for this?

My boldest dream is to see women holding at least 50% of local and national political leadership positions across Africa by 2030. This would be a groundbreaking shift in the political landscape of the continent and would ensure that the priorities and perspectives of women are genuinely reflected in the decisions that shape our societies. Achieving this will require concerted efforts in terms of policy reforms, support systems, and transformation of mindsets.

And what role do networks of locally elected women play in achieving this vision?

Networks of local elected women are critical in achieving this vision. A network like REFELA provides a platform for women to share experiences and strategies for success in politics. They also act as a powerful collective voice to advocate for policies that support gender equality and the protection of women’s rights. By working together, these networks can push for systemic changes, ensure the visibility of women in political leadership, and build solidarity among women politicians across the continent. They are a crucial part of a movement that seeks to transform political structures from the bottom up.

More 

• See the short video “Banjul is an African Woman”.
• Listen more on representation, leadership and sisterhood in Africa: The Story of Rohey Malick Lowe in posdcast.