The Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly and Member representing Ibaji State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba, has successfully participated in the West Africa Female Parliamentarians Peer Review Conference on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) held in Accra, Ghana, from 14th to 16th July, 2026.
Rt. Hon. Egwaba arrived in Accra on Monday, 13th July, alongside other delegates from across the West African sub-region, and joined female parliamentarians, Ministers responsible for Gender, policymakers, development partners and advocates in a three-day conference dedicated to strengthening regional collaboration in advancing gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.
Organised by the Women in Politics Forum (WiPF), the conference provided an invaluable platform for participants to exchange ideas, review existing legislative frameworks, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to promoting women’s political participation and protecting the rights of women and girls across West Africa.
A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of findings from a regional research on the impact of violence against women and girls on national development, which highlighted the far-reaching social and economic consequences of gender-based violence and underscored the need for stronger legislative and institutional responses.
Reflecting on the conference, Rt. Hon. Egwaba described the experience as enriching, insightful and inspiring. She noted that her interactions with fellow female parliamentarians and policy leaders from across the region reinforced the importance of regional cooperation in addressing common challenges and advancing policies that improve the lives of women and girls. The lawmaker also emphasised the importance of leveraging the knowledge gained and partnerships established during the conference to further contribute to the development of Kogi State, Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
The conference concluded with participants reaffirming their collective commitment to deepening regional collaboration, strengthening legal frameworks and championing policies that will foster safer, more inclusive and equitable societies across West Africa.
D.S Media Team
19th July, 2026
