The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has presented the outcomes of a project aimed at improving girls’ health and empowerment in Benin. The event took place on February 5, 2026, in Cotonou and was organized by the ECOWAS Representation in Benin with financial support from the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The workshop showcased results achieved in Zè and Djidja municipalities, focusing on personal and menstrual hygiene awareness and promoting regional integration among young people.
Participants included national authorities, sectoral ministries, local government entities, educational institutions, and ECOWAS communities residing in Benin. Groups such as UR-ECOWAS and ECOWOMAN were also present. The project used a coordinated approach to train institutional actors, distribute 5,000 reusable menstrual hygiene kits, and conduct awareness activities that reached more than 5,000 girls and boys. These efforts also helped strengthen participants’ understanding of ECOWAS’s mandate and values.
According to an official source, ECOWAS works to advance cooperation among member states through harmonized policies covering trade, transport, agriculture, and social development to improve living standards across the region. The organization’s programs span 12 West African countries with efforts extending throughout the broader region.
Beyond these quantitative achievements, the initiative highlights ECOWAS’s commitment to integrating its work at the community level by connecting health initiatives with education and regional integration goals. “It reaffirms the Organisation’s commitment to building an ECOWAS of the People, where social inclusion and youth empowerment serve as essential drivers of sustainable development and regional cohesion,” stated organizers.
The Commission is led by a president supported by a vice president and commissioners who oversee policy alignment among member states in areas such as infrastructure development and legal systems [source]. In recent years, ECOWAS has also enhanced transparency by launching a multilingual website for broader accessibility [source].