By Nelson Manneh
Madam Isatou Dea Sawaneh, the outgoing chairperson of the National Women Council during the inauguration ceremony of the 17th National Women Council, has urged the government of President Adama Barrow to implement the Women’s Act fully.
“President Barrow, we want you to fully implement the amended women’s Act and also protect it for the development of women in the Gambia,” she said.
Ex-chairperson Sawaneh said women constitute the highest percentage of Gambia’s population, so their rights need to be protected.
Hon. Fatou Kinteh, the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, said the launch of the National Gender Policy and the inauguration of the 17th National Women’s Council represents a pivotal moment in the ministry’s commitment to advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all in the country.
“The gender policy we are launching today is grounded on several key objectives that are aligned with The Gambia’s Recovery Focused National Development Plan 2023-2027 and international commitments made by the government of The Gambia to protect the welfare of women and girls. This policy underscores our unwavering commitment and dedication to promoting gender equality, combating gender-based violence, enhancing women’s economic empowerment, promoting women’s leadership and participation in decision-making positions, improving access to quality education and healthcare, and addressing gender issues in the context of climate change,” she said.
Minister Kinteh said one of the core strategic priorities of this policy is the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment, reiterating her Ministry’s dedication to eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls and creating an enabling environment where they can thrive, contribute, and lead without barriers. This requires a concerted effort to change discriminatory laws and policies, promote gender-sensitive programming, and build a culture of respect for women’s rights across all levels of society.
Furthermore, she said the policy prioritizes the prevention of gender-based violence and creates a swift response to victims of GSBV.
“It also includes strategies to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance protection mechanisms, and provide comprehensive support services to survivors of gender and sexual-based violence,” she outlined. “In achieving our goal, my ministry is committed to working closely with communities to address harmful practices and change social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.”
She said economic empowerment is crucial for achieving gender equality in any given society; therefore, the policy outlines measures to improve women’s access to resources, markets, and financial services in the country.
She said the policy aims to promote decent work, entrepreneurship, and income-generating activities for women, particularly in rural areas.
Kinteh added: “We are dedicated to enhancing skills development, providing access to credit, and creating enabling environment for women-owned businesses to thrive.”
In addition, she said the policy recognizes the importance of women’s participation in decision-making at all levels.
“We will focus on increasing women’s representation in political, economic, and social decision-making bodies. This includes supporting women’s leadership in public office, local governance, civil society, and the private sector,” she said.
