By Sarjo M. Camara, Reporting from New York
At a high-level United Nations gathering in New York, Gambia’s Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, Fatou Kinteh, reaffirmed the country’s dedication to advancing gender equality and protecting women’s rights.
Speaking at the Ministerial Roundtable on Tuesday, Kinteh underscored Gambia’s efforts to implement the Beijing Platform for Action, a landmark global blueprint for women’s empowerment. She pointed to her government’s creation of the Ministry of Gender in 2019 as a testament to its commitment to strengthening institutional mechanisms for women’s advancement.
“We remain resolute in delivering on the 12 critical areas of concern outlined in the Beijing Platform for Action,” Kinteh said. “Our policies and legal frameworks reflect our determination to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.”
Gambia’s push for gender equality has taken shape through national policies and legislative reforms. Kinteh highlighted several key milestones, including the establishment of the National Women’s Council in 1980, which comprises representatives from across the country and operates through the Women’s Bureau.
Since then, successive administrations have introduced gender-focused policies, such as the National Policy for the Advancement of Women and Girls (1999-2009) and the National Gender and Women Empowerment Policy (2010-2020). A new Gender Policy (2025-2034) is set to guide future initiatives.
The Gambia has also ratified international agreements like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Union’s Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, aligning national efforts with global gender equality standards.
Despite significant progress, Kinteh acknowledged persistent challenges, including the difficulty of balancing grassroots demands for project implementation with the need for policy influence at the national level.
“The National Women’s Council has faced hurdles in managing community-level expectations while actively shaping national policies,” she said.
To address these challenges, the government has introduced gender focal points in ministries, formed a Parliamentary Caucus on Women, and enacted legal reforms prohibiting workplace discrimination and sexual harassment. The National Assembly Select Committee on Gender also plays a crucial role in oversight and policy advocacy.
Gambia’s approach to gender mainstreaming includes gender-sensitive budgeting, which has been adopted by three ministries. Efforts to strengthen data collection have led to the establishment of the Gender Management Information System (GMIS), enabling better monitoring and assessment of progress.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration, Kinteh emphasized the role of civil society organizations and NGOs in monitoring government actions. In recent years, these groups have been instrumental in holding authorities accountable and ensuring citizens’ voices are included in policy discussions.
Public awareness campaigns and digital platforms have also played a growing role in advancing gender equality. The ministry has launched national initiatives to educate the public on women’s rights and legal protections, while government websites increasingly serve as spaces for civic engagement.
Reflecting on Gambia’s gender equality journey, Kinteh reaffirmed the importance of sustained commitment and international cooperation. She described CEDAW as a “powerful instrument” that has driven legal reforms worldwide and emphasized the need for continued investment in gender-focused policies.
“As we look ahead, we must ensure that institutional mechanisms are well-resourced and empowered to accelerate progress,” she concluded.
