From 20 to 21 February 2024, around sixty civil society organizations (CSOs) from Togo’s five regions (Savanes, Kara, Centrale, Plateaux, Maritime, and Grand Lomé), met in Tsévié to discuss their role in local governance. Organized by WEP-TOGO, the workshop aimed to strengthen the participation of vulnerable groups in managing local communities.

Held under the theme “Gender and Participation in Local Governance,” the event brought together representatives of vulnerable groups including women, youth, and persons with disabilities from across the country. The meeting took place at Saint Georges Hotel.

WEP-TOGO’s Executive Director, Ms. Essivi ACAKPO-ADDRA, explained that the workshop’s main goal was to assess the current level of involvement of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in local governance through Citizen Oversight of Public Action (CCAP), within the framework of decentralization in Togo. She emphasized that this was not a training or capacity-building session, but a space for dialogue to gather data, identify challenges, and develop recommendations. “I encourage all participants to engage fully to ensure the success of this initiative,” she stated.

Discussions were rich and constructive, with strong engagement from local authorities. Four key themes emerged: gender, gender equality, local governance, and citizen participation in public affairs. Consultant Dr. Mélodie OSSAH encouraged participants to take an active role in their communities’ development, stressing the importance of responsibility over passive observation.

The consultation’s outcomes provided a foundation for identifying barriers and challenges to gender inclusion in local governance