Sahel Alliance Puts Women at the Heart of Regional Development Strategy
Historic Meeting Signals New Era for Gender Equality in the Sahel
Niamey, Niger | July 18, 2025 – In a landmark demonstration of regional cooperation, General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of Niger’s National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, hosted an unprecedented gathering of women’s affairs ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) on July 17, 2025. The high-level meeting at Niger’s presidential palace marked a strategic commitment to gender equality and social welfare policies across the emerging regional bloc.
First-Ever AES Women’s Summit Charts Ambitious Course
The inaugural AES Ministerial Meeting on Women’s Promotion and Gender Equality brought together three key leaders:
- Madame Kabore Passawende Pélagie, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action, National Reconciliation, Gender and Family
- Madame Diarra Djénaba Sanogo, Mali’s Minister of Women, Children and Family Promotion
- Madame Sidikou Ramatou Djermakoye Seyni, Niger’s Minister of Social Action and Child Protection
This four-day summit (July 14-17) established groundbreaking frameworks for cross-border collaboration on women’s empowerment, child protection, and social cohesion in a region facing complex security and economic challenges.
Strategic Priorities for Sahelian Women
Ministers identified three critical focus areas:
- Education Access: Developing regional standards for girls’ schooling
- Healthcare Equity: Coordinating maternal and reproductive health services
- Violence Prevention: Creating transnational mechanisms against gender-based violence
AES Women’s Platform: A New Engine for Change
President Tiani emphasized Niger’s commitment to making the AES a model of inclusive regional integration. The meeting showcased the newly established AES Women’s Platform, an innovative mechanism designed to:
| Objective | Implementation Strategy |
|---|---|
| Policy Coordination | Harmonize gender laws across member states |
| Resource Sharing | Pool technical expertise and funding |
| Advocacy | Amplify women’s voices in peacebuilding |
Madame Bayard Mariama Gamatié, Special Advisor and Coordinator of the AES Women’s Platform, stressed its potential to transform gender dynamics across the Sahel. “This isn’t just about meetings – it’s about creating tangible pathways for women’s leadership in every sector,” she stated.
Overcoming Challenges in a Volatile Region
While the summit generated optimism, participants acknowledged significant hurdles:
- Security threats limiting women’s mobility
- Cultural resistance to gender equality in some communities
- Limited funding for social programs
- Disparate legal frameworks across member states
President Tiani framed these challenges as opportunities: “When women thrive, our nations thrive. The AES will measure its success not just in security gains, but in classrooms filled with girls and markets filled with women entrepreneurs.”
A Regional Beacon of Hope
The Niamey Declaration emerging from the summit commits member states to:
- Establish regional gender parity targets by 2028
- Create a Sahel Women’s Development Fund
- Launch cross-border mentorship programs
- Develop early warning systems for gender-based violence
As the ministers departed, their message resonated across the Sahel: this alliance represents more than military cooperation – it’s building the foundation for equitable societies where women lead alongside men in shaping the region’s future.
Source: Journal du Niger