Attaining sustainable peace goes hand in hand with ensuring a healthy and dignified population. Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of advancing women and youth representation in decision-making is crucial to realising an inclusive National Response that leaves no one behind.
On 19 May 2020, ACTIVISTA The Gambia with support from UNFPA through the UN Peacebuilding funded Women and Youth Project, concluded an Interface Dialogue in Kaiaf and Jarra Japineh in the Lower River Region, Katamina and Kerewan Touray in the Central River Region, and Sandu Darselami and Tumana Badari in the Upper River Region of The Gambia. Aimed at improving the representation and participation of youth and women in community leadership and decision making structures, the dialogues brought together 10 people in each community including young people, women and local authorities such as members of the Village Development Committees, Ward Development Committees, Chiefs and Alkaklos.
Aware that no meaningful development and peacebuilding efforts can be advanced when the health and wellbeing of the people are threatened, the dialogues also included COVID-19 awareness raising sessions during which the participants discussed the signs and symptoms of the disease, how to stay protected and channels for seeking information and medical assistance when required. In addition to this, 30 handwashing stations, 75 pieces of hand sanitisers and soaps were distributed among the communities to support their COVID-19 response efforts.
Speaking at the dialogue held in her community, the Alkalo of Darsilami who also serves as a female representative in the Village Development Committee, had this to say “my take-home from this dialogues is the information we have received on COVID-19 especially on how we can stay safe and protected.” Noting that “there cannot be sustainable peace without a healthy population.” She also added that in order to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, women and youth must be adequately represented in the national and community response.
Media contact:
Haddy Jonga - Programme Analyst - Communications, UNFPA The Gambia jonga@unfpa.org
Isatou Jallow - Communications Associate, UNFPA The Gambia ijallow@unfpa.org
