Building Inclusive Democracies: Regional Conference on Women’s Political Participation in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire

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Regional Conference of Leaders of Youth and Women's sections of political parties in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire:

A WYDE Political Parties initiative fostering dialogue, policy recommendations, and regional cooperation among young and female leaders in West Africa

From 26 to 28 September 2025, Dakar hosted a powerful three-day regional conference under the WYDE – Women and Youth in Democratic Engagement (Political Parties component), funded by the European Union. Organised by ENoP and implemented by the local partner IGD (Initiative pour la Gouvernance Démocratique), the event brought together 30 youth and women leaders from political parties in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, promoting cross-border exchange on inclusive democratic governance.

Held at the Onomo Hotel in Dakar, the conference focused on a pressing regional challenge: how to effectively increase the participation and representation of women within political parties. Themed “The Inclusion of Women in Political Parties in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire”, the gathering became a landmark moment for inter-party collaboration, joint learning and the development of actionable recommendations.

A Platform for Dialogue and Action

The programme featured a mix of thematic presentations, panels and group workshops. Participants shared their parties’ approaches to recruiting, training and promoting women, as well as strategies for electoral participation and gender-responsive policymaking. Comparative exchanges between the two countries offered valuable insights, particularly around Senegal’s legislative progress—such as its 2010 Gender Parity Law and the draft bill proposing a 30% youth quota in elected bodies.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Damien Desquiens, Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Senegal, and featured prominent participants such as Nicolo Branchesi (CIS), and youth leaders from the PDCI-RDA and UJ-RHDP of Côte d’Ivoire, which enriched the discussion with diverse political perspectives.

Key Outcomes

1. Exchange of Best Practices
   Participants mapped out effective methods to mobilise women politically, from grassroots campaigns and community engagement to institutional reforms within party structures.
2. Concrete Recommendations
   Divided into working groups, participants co-developed proposals in three thematic areas:
   • Political training and capacity-building for women
   • Formal inclusion and representation within party structures
   • Supportive electoral strategies and legislative reforms (e.g., gender quotas, mentoring programmes, campaign finance)
3. Commitment to Implementation
   Participants committed to championing these reforms within their own political parties and sustaining inter-party collaboration. A WhatsApp group was created to maintain communication and continue sharing resources.

A Step Forward for WYDE Political Parties in West Africa

This conference illustrates the WYDE Political Parties project’s commitment to intergenerational dialogue, cross-country cooperation, and inclusive political reform. It marked a tangible step toward building internal party cultures that are more representative and equitable, grounded in the belief that political parties must be central drivers of democratic renewal.

As the project continues its work across Africa, events like this reinforce the importance of bringing together women and youth across political lines to forge new pathways toward meaningful political inclusion.