Nigeria Youngest Lawmaker and Asa Born Female Lawmaker Joins African Female Parliamentarians in Regional Drive to End Violence Against Women and Girls:

The member representing Owode/Onire Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Rukayat Shittu, has joined female lawmakers from across Africa at a high-level regional conference focused on strengthening legislative efforts to combat violence against women and girls.

The three-day West Africa Female Parliamentarians Peer Review Conference on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) was held in Accra, Ghana, bringing together female parliamentarians, gender ministers, members of the ECOWAS Parliament, development partners, and gender advocates to explore practical legislative solutions to one of the region’s most pressing social challenges.

The conference was organised by the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) with the support of UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office and the European Union, providing a platform for participants to evaluate existing legal frameworks, share legislative experiences, and strengthen regional cooperation in addressing gender-based violence.

As part of the programme, delegates paid an official visit to the Parliament of Ghana, led by the Executive Director of WIPF, Barr. Ebere Ifendu, where they observed parliamentary proceedings and engaged in interactive sessions with members of the Ghanaian legislature.

A major highlight of the conference was the peer-review model adopted for the discussions, allowing legislators to critically assess one another’s legal frameworks, identify implementation gaps, exchange successful policy initiatives, and develop practical recommendations aimed at improving the protection of women and girls across the African continent.

Hon. Rukayat Shittu participated in a regional working group alongside lawmakers from Ghana, Senegal, and Uganda, where participants examined country-specific experiences and deliberated on innovative legislative approaches to preventing violence against women and girls while strengthening institutional responses.

Unlike conventional conferences centred mainly on speeches, the peer-review sessions promoted active collaboration, enabling delegates to compare legislative practices, enhance parliamentary oversight, and encourage cross-border partnerships in advancing gender-responsive governance.

The conference is also expected to strengthen the network of female legislators across West Africa by fostering sustained cooperation in legislative reforms, advocacy, policy implementation, and institutional support for initiatives promoting the rights, dignity, safety, and welfare of women and girls.

During the plenary session at the Parliament of Ghana, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Rt. Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin, formally welcomed the delegation and acknowledged Hon. Rukayat Shittu alongside other participating female lawmakers, recognizing their commitment to advancing inclusive governance and gender equality across the region.

Hon. Rukayat’s participation at the regional conference reflects Nigeria’s continued contribution to continental efforts aimed at promoting stronger legal protections for women and girls while encouraging greater collaboration among African parliaments in building safer, more inclusive, and equitable societies.

Her attendance further underscores the growing role of female legislators in championing legislative reforms that strengthen democratic institutions, promote social justice, and advance the protection of vulnerable groups across Africa.