Given that political leaders play a vital role in shaping perceptions, encouraging action and advocating for change in their communities, the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) with support from UNFPA through the UN Peacebuilding funded project on Increasing Women and Youth Participation in Decision Making and as Agents of Community Conflict Prevention, on 17 September 2020 held a virtual convening of political party leaders from across the country.

The convening was aimed at engaging them in a dialogue on peacebuilding as well as on the contents of the draft Constitution currently before parliament. The overall objective of the activity was to foster mutual respect and close collaboration among political parties in promoting inclusive peacebuilding and representation in the Constitutional reform process.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the NCCE, Alhajie Sering Fye, reminded the participants that “although politics is about competition, cooperation among political leaders is significant and the more citizens see political party leaders engaging and debating with one another without resentment, the better it will be for the health of our democratic life.” UNFPA The Gambia Country Representative, Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, highlighted the importance of dialogue in ensuring sustainable development and increasing the participation of women and youth in decision making processes.

In order to ensure that grassroots political party structures across the country are involved in this dialogue, the NCCE engaged them on 19 September 2020 through an interactive virtual dialogue bringing together regional political party leaders. These dialogues will help in redefining the political leadership landscape of The Gambia towards a more inclusive and democratic discourse that provides the space for all views and opinions to be heard.

UNFPA through the support of UN Peacebuilding continues to engage and support various stakeholders key to realising more peaceful and inclusive decision-making and leadership processes across The Gambia, in order to ensure that young people are able to reach their fullest potentials and women are not left behind.

Media contact:

Haddy Jonga – Programme Analyst Communication, UNFPA The Gambia jonga@unfpa.org