Sarjo M. Camara
Hon. Fatou Sanyang Kinteh, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare has described President Adama Barrow as a beacon of hope for Gambian women, following the launch of the Gender Policy 2025-2034, and inauguration of the 17th National Women’s Councilors 202-2029, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre last week. In her address, the Minister described the occasion as representing a pivotal moment in the ministry’s commitment to advancing gender equality, women empowerment, and creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all in the country. She recognised the Barrow government’s commitment to ensuring that all girls and women have access to quality education and healthcare services, as well as access to financial resources, among others.
“The Gender Policy 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. The 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 in the context of climate change,” she remarked. She added that the policy also includes strategies to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance protection mechanisms, and provide comprehensive support services to survivors of gender and sexual-based violence.
Madam Kinteh expressed 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. However, this, she pointed out, 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. She also assured of the ministry’s commitment to working closely with communities to address harmful practices and change social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls. The Gender Minister noted that the launch of the National Gender Policy Framework reflects the government’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous Gambia in which men and women have equal rights and opportunities to develop and thrive, while it aims to eliminate gender disparities in education, reduce maternal mortality, improve reproductive health services, and promote gender-sensitive healthcare.
She thanked partners like the African Development Bank, and the Ministry of Finance, for financing the development of the policy; UN and other development partners for technical support. Mrs Isatou Dea Sawaneh, the outgoing chairperson of the National Women Councilors, thanked President Barrow for the support he accorded the women councilors, while urging him to consider giving allowances to women councilors, noting that they contribute immensely to the development of the country at a pro bono basis. Other speakers were Permanent Secretary Roheyatou Kah, who thanked the delegates for gracing the launch, and acknowledged the Presidents’ attendance as a great success to the launch; and Kajali Sonko, Deputy Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, who chaired the sessions. The launch and inauguration ceremony was attended by women groups, members of the diplomatic corps, cabinet ministers. Entertainment was provided by the Police Band.
