Advancing Young Women’s Leadership Across the ECOWAS Region
A Regional Platform Strengthening Gender-Responsive Governance, Youth Participation, and Institutional Coordination Across ECOWAS Member States.
Institutional Positioning
ROAJELF operates as a regional coordination and policy engagement platform bridging grassroots female leadership with ECOWAS institutions, national governments, civil society networks, and development partners.
The network contributes to implementation of regional gender and youth frameworks through structured dialogue, capacity strengthening, and evidence-based advocacy.
Snapshot
Regional Impact
Regional Coverage
0
+
Presence across ECOWAS Member States through national chapters and thematic working groups
ESG Inclusion
0
+
Programmes advancing financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and policy dialogue on women’s economic & political empowerment.
Leadership Development
0
+
Youths reached through Structured regional leadership academies and mentorship platforms.
Peace & Security Engagement
0
+
Youth-led initiatives supporting conflict prevention and inclusive peacebuilding.
Strategic Program Pillars
Women’s Economic Empowerment
Advancing economic inclusion through skills development, policy advocacy, and regional coordination.
Regional Alignment
ROAJELF aligns its strategic framework with:
ECOWAS Gender Policy
[EN] Supplementary Act
Size: 330.58 KB Hits: 84 Date added: 20-11-2025
[EN] Gender Policy in GB
Size: 245.90 KB Hits: 139 Date added: 20-11-2025
[EN] Gender Inequality Report en-GB
Size: 5.96 MB Hits: 83 Date added: 20-11-2025
[EN] ACTION PLAN For WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY 2017 – 2020
Size: 947.89 KB Hits: 76 Date added: 20-11-2025
EN - Policy Brief EGDC
Size: 3.34 MB Hits: 82 Date added: 20-11-2025
ECOWAS Vision 2050
ECOWAS 2050 VISION - ECOWAP
ECOWAS Vision 2050 is the reflection of ECOWAS’ long-term development ambitions
African Union Agenda 2063
AGENDA 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.
Continental Youth, Peace & Security frameworks
Continental Framework for Youth, Peace and Security
Youth, Peace and Security refers to “conscious actions and processes to protect young people from participation in, and the ill effects of, violent conflicts and insecurity, and to promote and support their contributions to peace efforts in conflict and post-conflict situations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The network contributes to implementation through coordinated regional action and institutional partnerships.
Institutional Structure
A Regional General Assembly
Supreme Governing Body
The Regional General Assembly (RGA) serves as the highest decision-making authority of ROAJELF. It comprises accredited representatives from all recognized National Chapters and institutional partners.
Core Functions:
Approves the strategic direction and multi-year development framework
Ratifies constitutional amendments and governance policies
Elects members of the Executive Committee
Reviews annual performance, financial, and impact reports
Sets broad regional priorities aligned with ECOWAS and continental frameworks
The Assembly convenes annually (or biannually when necessary) and ensures that the network remains democratically accountable and regionally representative.
An Executive Committee representing Member States
Strategic Leadership and Oversight Organ
The Executive Committee (ExCo) provides high-level leadership, policy direction, and oversight between General Assembly sessions. It is composed of elected regional officers representing geographic balance and sectoral expertise.
Core Functions:
Implements decisions of the General Assembly
Provides strategic oversight to the Secretariat
Approves annual operational plans and budgets
Leads external representation and high-level engagement
Ensures compliance with governance and ethics standards
The Executive Committee safeguards institutional continuity, political neutrality, and strategic alignment across all chapters and programs.
A Regional Secretariat
Administrative and Operational Arm
The Regional Secretariat functions as the executive management body responsible for day-to-day operations, coordination, and implementation of programs.
Headed by a Regional Coordinator or Executive Director, the Secretariat oversees:
Program design and delivery
Partnership development and stakeholder engagement
Communications and public affairs
Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
Financial administration and compliance
The Secretariat ensures professional management, operational efficiency, and policy execution across the network.
National Chapters
Country-Level Implementation Structures
National Chapters serve as decentralized operational units within ECOWAS Member States. Each chapter operates under the ROAJELF Constitution while adapting programming to national contexts.
Core Functions:
Local implementation of regional initiatives
National advocacy and stakeholder engagement
Membership recruitment and leadership development
Data collection and reporting to the Secretariat
Representation at national and sub-regional forums
National Chapters strengthen grassroots engagement and ensure contextual relevance of regional priorities.
Thematic Working Groups
Technical and Policy Platforms
Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) are specialized, issue-based clusters composed of experts, practitioners, and members with technical competence in specific focus areas.
Potential thematic areas include:
Governance & Democratic Participation
Natural Resources & Climate Justice
Peace & Security
Economic Empowerment
Digital Innovation & Technology
Regional Integration & Policy Reform
Core Functions:
Develop policy briefs and research outputs
Support advocacy campaigns
Provide technical advisory to the Executive Committee
Contribute to regional dialogue and multi-stakeholder engagement
TWGs ensure intellectual rigor, policy relevance, and evidence-based programming within ROAJELF’s operations.
Knowledge and Publications
Policy Briefs
Regional Communiqués
Position Statements
Leadership Reports
Workshop Proceedings
Annual Institutional Reports
Partnership and Coordination
The network collaborates with ECOWAS institutions, government agencies, civil society coalitions, and development partners. ROAJELF functions as:
A regional coordination mechanism for young female leaders
A policy intermediary between grassroots actors and regional institutions
A strategic partner supporting implementation of gender-responsive governance frameworks
Engage with Roajelf
ROAJELF – Network of Young Female Leaders (ECOWAS Chapter)
A Structured Regional Platform Advancing Inclusive Leadership and Governance in West Africa.
Partner With Us
Collaborate on regional initiatives advancing inclusive governance.
Support Regional Gender Advancement
Invest in structured programmes strengthening young women’s leadership.
Join the Network
Become part of a multi-country platform shaping policy and leadership across ECOWAS.
Collaborate on Policy Initiatives
Contribute to regional consultation processes and multi-stakeholder dialogue.