Kwara female lawmaker joins African legislators to tackle violence against women

Kwara female lawmaker, Hon. Rukayat Shittu, was among female legislators from across Africa who participated in the West Africa Female Parliamentarians Peer Review Conference on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), held in Accra, Ghana.

The three-day conference, organised by the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) with the support of UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office and the European Union, brought together female parliamentarians, gender ministers, ECOWAS lawmakers and development partners to review legislative responses to violence against women and girls and strengthen regional collaboration.

As part of the programme, participants paid an official visit to the Parliament of Ghana under the leadership of the Executive Director of WIPF, Barr. Ebere Ifendu.

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The delegation observed parliamentary proceedings and interacted with members of the Ghanaian Parliament.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in peer review sessions designed to examine existing legal frameworks on violence against women and girls, identify implementation challenges, and exchange practical legislative experiences from their respective countries.

Hon. Rukayat was part of a regional working group with legislators from Ghana, Senegal and Uganda, where participants reviewed country experiences and discussed possible legislative approaches to strengthening protection for women and girls.

Unlike conventional conferences centred primarily on speeches, the peer-review format encouraged participants to assess one another’s legislative frameworks, share best practices and develop recommendations aimed at improving laws, parliamentary oversight and regional cooperation.

The conference is expected to support the establishment of a stronger network of female parliamentarians working together on legislative reforms, advocacy, and implementation of measures addressing violence against women and girls across West Africa.

Hon. Rukayat, who represents Owode/Onire Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, joined delegates from across the region in discussions focused on strengthening democratic institutions through responsive legislation and greater collaboration among African parliaments.

During the plenary, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Rt. Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin welcomed the delegation and individually acknowledged Hon. Rukayat Shittu alongside other participants present in the chamber.

Her participation in the conference and recognition during the visit to the Parliament of Ghana formed part of Nigeria’s contribution to the regional dialogue on promoting the rights, safety, and well-being of women and girls.