The role of women in the West African economy

Chapter 1 highlights the crucial contribution of West African women to the region’s food and commercial economy. It demonstrates that these activities are subject to numerous socio-economic and institutional obstacles that limit the participation of women in commercial activities. This chapter analyses these gender inequalities using a relational approach that maps relationships between economic and political actors in social networks. The first case study explores the value chains of the rice trade between Benin, Niger and Nigeria and identifies barriers that limit the participation of women in areas of production and commercialisation. The second case focuses on governance networks and highlights the challenges faced by public policies designed to promote the economic participation of women in the region.