Assessment of the Economic Empowerment of Women before and after Establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Gender forms an integral element of every aspect of the economic, social, and private lives of individuals and societies. Growth and development can only be achieved if all resources and talents are harnessed; however, all over the globe, there are laws and regulations which can restrict or encourage women's economic opportunities. This study analyzed the before and after trends in women's economic empowerment among the members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) union. The study utilized the Women, Business, and the Law Index Score from 1970 to 2021 for the 15 member countries of ECOWAS which was sourced from the World Bank's Gender data. The Index was used as a proxy for the economic empowerment of women. Secondary data were downloaded and the mean, maximum, and minimum scores were generated for the selected variables and presented using line and bar charts. The Index was supplemented with qualitative assessments of the de facto status of women. The results showed that most of the ECOWAS member states adopted numerous commitments to gender rights postECOWAS. Specifically, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde made serious advancement postECOWAS, moving from an average score of 48 and 37 to 65 and 66 respectively while Nigeria and Gambia had the least advancement between the pre-and post-ECOWAS eras in the area of women's empowerment. Overall, ECOWAS countries did not thrive well in parenthood (mean score = 42.9) as only 6 countries adopted commitments for empowering women after having children. The study recommended that policies such as job-protected pay and leave of adequate length should be put in place to increase women's economic empowerment. In addition, member states should enact and enforce comprehensive equal pay legislation to ensure that men and women receive equal pay for equal work.