Banjul, 17th March 2025: The Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Mrs. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, has commended The Gambia for continuing to be “a country with deep hearts for the continent and humanity, and for being exemplary in the fight for women empowerment and gender equality.
She made this remark while having a bilateral meeting with Hon. Fatou Kinteh, Gambian minister of Gender Children and Social Welfare on the sidelines of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Further on Gambia’s efforts, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda thanked the country for launching the campaign to end child marriage. “You have the ‘Banjul Commission’ and the ‘Banjul Charter’. This is a magnificent commitment to the promotion of the principles of human right,” she added.
On the repeal of the Women’s Amendment Act 2015 (FGM Law), Assistant SG commended The Gambia for its stance in protecting the rights of women and girls, noting that The Gambia experience is a global solution in addressing issues that affect health and well-being.
She thanked the minister for approving the political declaration during the opening of the CSW69 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the 10th March 2025.
Ms. Nyaradzayi assured that the UN Women remains committed to gender equality and that it will continue to support the Government of The Gambia. This, she said, will be anchored on the proposed Action Agenda 6+1, which contains 6 thematic areas of priorities for implementation in 2025.
On reforms, she recalled the conversation with member states on the future and ongoing efforts for the revitalisation of the Commission on the Status of Women, including discussions on the rotation of UN-CSW.
In her deliberation, the Hon Minister acknowledged the commitment and support of UN Women in the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls. She thanked the Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director, UN Women for the partnership, emphasising the need for the UN Women’s physical presence in The Gambia.
On the FGM issue, the minister recognised that government and CSOs invested in the efforts against FGM, which played a critical role in the implementation of the joint programme on FGM.
“The strategy deployed to maintain the anti-FGM law was indeed strategic and smart. Government indicated clearly its stand and immediately established the cabinet committee, the National Steering Committee, with the inclusion of CSOs, NGO, Government and Faith Based Organisations”.
She went on” “The first was having the political will from H.E, the President of the Republic of The Gambia. The objective was to reduce political tension, and indicate Government’s position on repeal process and allow the legislative engagement. The critical entry point to addressing SGBV is to ensure women are economically empowered”. Hon Minister concluded by affirming that there is a need to strengthen partnership and collaboration.
Hon. Kinteh was accompanied by Lamin Dibba, Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations; Mr. Momodou Lamin Bah, Ambassador of The Gambia to Washington; Ms. Rohieyatou Kah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare; and Mr Kajali Sonko, Deputy Permanent Secretary, MoGCSW.
By Sarjo M. Camara
UN Women Deputy Exec Director Hails Gambia for Strides in Women Empowerment, Human Rights
