Creating opportunities for women and young people to maximise their potentials, is crucial to the realisation of sustainable development.
In January 2019, the Senegambia bridge was inaugurated with the intention of fostering trade in West Africa. The construction of the bridge despite its many advantages, also exposed the vulnerability of specific population groups living in communities around the bridge, thus requiring intensified efforts to address threats such as migrant smuggling and trafficking, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) among others.
Recognising this reality, UNFPA together with the International Trade Centre (ITC) through a project supported by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) is working with local authorities to create an ideal environment to safeguard the economic and social rights of vulnerable groups, whose livelihoods have been negatively impacted by the bridge.
As a result, on 2nd August 2022, UNFPA in collaboration with ITC and other partners laid the foundation stone for the construction of a One-Stop-Shop for GBV support, entrepreneurship, and hospitality training services for communities surrounding the bridge. This centre aims to empower women and youth around the Senegambia bridge by creating opportunities, providing protection services, and promoting skills development.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying event, the Honourable Minister for Lands, Local Government and Religious Affairs, Mr. Sheriff Abba Sanyang highlighted that young people and women play a crucial role in the development of their communities, thus their needs and concerns should always be given the required attention. He encouraged the beneficiary communities to take advantage of the services the One-Stop-Shop will provide. “Take ownership of this initiative to ensure sustainability for your communities” he concluded. According to the UNFPA Country Representative, Ms. Ndéye Rose Sarr,
the One-Stop-Shops will empower youth, women & other vulnerable groups in the 2 regions, by promoting their dignity & confidence, empowering them to be self-reliant & building more resilient communities for them to thrive in.
As the lead UN agency for addressing GBV globally, UNFPA is always committed to strengthening mechanisms to provide GBV services to vulnerable groups particularly women and girls.
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Media contact: Faith C. Ememodo – UNV Communications Associate ememodo@unfpa.org
