The Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) organised a webinar on “What Needs to Be Changed? Rethinking Migration Through a Gender Lens” on 23 June 2026. The webinar brought together policymakers, academics, security practitioners, development partners, civil society organisations, and researchers to examine the gendered dimensions of migration in West Africa and explore strategies for promoting protection, inclusion, and resilience among migrant populations.
Key Issues
The discussions reaffirmed that migration in West Africa is increasingly driven by conflict, economic inequality, demographic change, climate change, weak governance, and other structural factors. The webinar highlighted that gender plays an important role in shaping migration experiences in West Africa. Men and women migrate for different reasons and often face different opportunities and challenges throughout the migration process. While both women and men migrate in search of employment and better livelihoods, women are increasingly migrating independently for employment, education, family reunification, and improved socio-economic opportunities.
The discussions also highlighted the challenges migrants face during their migration journey. Women, children, and other vulnerable groups are more likely to experience human trafficking, exploitation, gender-based violence, discrimination, and limited access to essential services. The discussions also highlighted the growing intersection between migration and transnational crime, particularly human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Discussions further highlighted that traditional migration and border management approaches often frame irregular migration primarily as a security issue, overlooking the distinct experiences, vulnerabilities, and protection needs of women and men.
Another emerging issue was the impact of climate change on migration patterns across West Africa. Speakers noted that climate-induced displacement is expected to increase and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, particularly women, girls and persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.
Lessons Learned
Several important lessons emerged from the webinar discussions. To begin with, migration is closely interrelated to human security, climate change, socio-economic development, and governance. Although migration presents opportunities for economic growth, there is a need of addressing migration challenges through gender lens, coordinated and long-term solutions rather than isolated interventions.
The webinar emphasized the need for stronger protection measures, better access to support services, and greater collaboration among governments and other stakeholders to protect the rights and dignity of migrants. The speakers emphasised that effective migration governance should focus not only on border security but also on promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration while preventing exploitation and abuse.
Finally, there is a need for stronger collaboration among governments, regional organizations, civil society, and development partners. Working together and using evidence-based approaches will help strengthen migration governance and promote protection, inclusion, and resilience across West Africa.
Recommendations for Policy Change
- Integrate gender-responsive approaches into all national and regional migration policies, strategies, and implementation frameworks;
- Strengthen protection mechanisms for migrants, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups, through improved access to justice, social services, and legal support;
- Enhance regional cooperation among ECOWAS Member States to address irregular migration, trafficking in persons, and migrant smuggling while upholding human dignity and rights;
- Mainstream climate security into migration governance by developing policies that respond to climate-induced displacement and build community resilience;
- Promote evidence-based policymaking through strengthened research, data collection, and partnerships between governments, academic institutions, and research centres.