Hon. Maimuna Ceesay, a member of The Gambia delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament underscored the critical role of financial inclusion in empowering women, particularly in rural areas. She was addressing distinguished guests and panellists at the ECOFEPA Economic Forum on Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment of Women in the ECOWAS Sub-region.
Hon. Ceesay highlighted the challenges facing women across ECOWAS member states, including limited access to formal banking systems, financial literacy, and socio-cultural barriers that hinder women’s economic progress. She emphasised the need for policymakers, parliamentarians, and financial institutions to translate the ideas discussed at the forum into tangible actions to improve the lives of women across the sub-region.
Reflecting on The Gambia’s journey towards women’s empowerment, Hon. Ceesay acknowledged the strides made but also noted that much more needs to be done to ensure equitable access to financial services and resources. She expressed optimism that the dialogue at the forum will spark meaningful changes for women across the ECOWAS region, helping them thrive economically and achieve financial independence.
The forum brought together women from various sectors to share experiences, address challenges, and explore common solutions aimed at promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment in the region.
Source: National Assembly of the Gambia
