By Lamarana S Jallow
On Thursday, October 31st, 2024, The Gambia marked a significant milestone in youth empowerment as stakeholders gathered to validate The Gambia Programme of Action for Youth (GPAY), organised by the National Youth Council, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the session focused on shaping the GPAY 2024-2028 framework, inspired by resolutions from NAYCONF 2022. The GPAY 2024-2028 outlines the current state, challenges, and proposed actions for various thematic areas, identifying roles for both duty-bearers and right-holders. Following the resolutions of NAYCONF 2022, a progress report on the prior GPAY highlighted the need to evaluate the 2018-2019 Plan’s implementation rate and develop a new five-year strategy. In response, UNFPA, in collaboration with the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, engaged a consultant to draft this updated framework, focusing on expanding opportunities for Gambian youth.
The workshop brought together participants from civil society, youth-led organisations, and government officials, to review and enhance strategies in education, health, employment, and youth participation in decision-making. Together, they addressed the unique challenges faced by young people in The Gambia. The GPAY framework aspires to empower youth as active contributors to community and national development, reaffirming a commitment to a sustainable, youth-centered future aligned with national and international empowerment goals.
