Outcome WCA_D_1.2

Global normative frameworks, laws, policies and institutions in West and Central Africa Region are more gender responsive (SP Outcome 1)

3 countries: DRC, Sierra Leone and Liberia adopted affirmative actions in 2022 DRC: In June 2022, the new elections law was adopted including new provisions such as exempting the political parties from the deposit if their lists include 50% of women candidates. While political parties might opt for the deposit and pay instead of having equal representation on the lists, the procedure itself is a significant progress in a country where women are only 12% at the parliament today The Sierra Leone House of Parliament passed the Gender Equality, and Women’s Empowerment Acts in late November 2022 which introduces 30% gender quota in the elective positions. The Political Parties Registration Commission Act adopted in December 2022 also requires political parties to have 30 % nominations of women to elective positions, as well as 30 per cent women in the executives of all cadres of political parties i.e., at ward/ section, institutions, district, and national levels. Non-compliance by political parties to PPRC Act 2022 will result in rejection of submission of Party lists by the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone. In September 2022, the Liberian Legislature passed An Act to amend certain Sections of the New Elections Law (1986) which includes amendments to Section 4.5 on the nomination of candidates. Section 4.5 (1b) and (1c) replaces “endeavor to ensure” and “endeavor to have” with “shall have no less than” 30% of each gender in its governing body and on its candidate lists. Moreover, the Act includes much-needed accountability mechanisms by providing for fines and list rejection

Global normative frameworks, laws, policies and institutions in West and Central Africa Region are more gender responsive (SP Outcome 1)

Despite the adoption of laws and quotas across WCA, systematic barriers that impede women’s participation in political life persist and include lack/imprecise quota laws, weak implementation in addition to negative cultural attitudes and stereotypes and limited understanding of gender issues by political parties. Violence that disproportionately targets female politicians, fuelled by social media and AI-driven misinformation, further marginalized women and amplified political divisions. In 2025, UN Women contributed to electoral law reform processes in Mauritania and the integration of gender aspects into Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) policies, planning and actions in Niger. Additionally, UN Women supported women’s organizations to develop and initiate the implementation of National Advocacy Plans in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Mauritania, complemented by a Regional Advocacy Plan led by regional women’s networks. These plans contribute to the localization of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, prioritizing GBV prevention, women’s participation in peace committees, and cross-border protection frameworks.

Global normative frameworks, laws, policies and institutions in West and Central Africa Region are more gender responsive (SP Outcome 1)

Thirty-two [1] African Women’s Leadership Network (AWLN) chapters were launched in ESA and WCA regions to galvanize women’s leadership of Africa towards lasting peace and sustainable development in all sectors and at all levels, building on, and working with, existing women networks with the support of the AU and UN. The Network builds on African women’s leadership to increase women’s participation in decision-making through peer learning and mentoring, enhanced solidarity, advocacy, and capacity-building among other strategies [1] DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Congo Brazzaville, Seychelles, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Morocco, Liberia, Cameroon, Benin, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Mali, Mozambique, Malawi, Niger, Kenya, Namibia, Tunisia, Gabon, Lesotho, Sao Tome, South Africa, Zambia, Angola, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Rwanda, and Gambia.

Global normative frameworks, laws, policies and institutions in West and Central Africa Region are more gender responsive (SP Outcome 1)

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