ECOWAS Launches Togo’s Gender Programmes To Eradicate Obstetric Fistula, Empower Women
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Gender Development Centre (EGDC) has launched its gender-focused programmes in Sokodé, Togo, marking a critical step towards gender equality and women’s health in the region.
ECOWAS presented a cheque of US $245,000 to Togo’s government, dedicated to addressing obstetric fistula—a debilitating condition that impacts thousands of women across West Africa.
This year, ECOWAS is providing funding support to eight member states to contribute towards the eradication of obstetric Fistula from the ECOWAS region.
These funds are directed at four essential components: surgical repair for women and girls suffering from fistula, socio-economic reintegration for survivors, awareness campaigns to prevent the condition, and the rehabilitation of national referral centers for fistula treatment.
Commissioner of Human Development and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, represented by Sandra Oulaté Fattoh of the EGDC, emphasised that addressing obstetric fistula contributes to building resilient communities and promoting equal rights for women and men throughout the region.
Representatives from Togo, including the Health Minister and Public Hygiene, Professor Tchin Darr, represented by the secretary general of the ministry, Dr. Kokou Wotobe and the Minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity and the Promotion of Women, Professor Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, called for a multisectoral approach to tackling root causes—such as inadequate healthcare access, gender inequality, and child marriage.
Professor Zinsou-Klassou appealed for sustained resources, acknowledging the courage of affected women who have come forward for treatment despite societal stigmas.
She urged them to act as torchbearers in breaking the silence around this often-hidden condition.
The EGDC has implemented numerous initiatives across Togo, ranging from scholarships for young girls to economic empowerment programs like “50 Million Women Speak.”
This platform equips women with resources for business growth, promoting their financial independence and uplifting communities.
This launch underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to empowering women through practical solutions, aiming for a future where women across West Africa are not only healthy but also economically and socially empowered.
