The Government of The Gambia launched a two-million-dollar initiative to strengthen women’s political participation and leadership. This peacebuilding funded project is jointly implemented by UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF
BANJUL, 30 January 2023 – Hon. Fatou Kinteh, Minister of Gender, Children & Social Welfare together with UN agencies in The Gambia, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on 25th January 2023, launched a landmark initiative to strengthen women’s participation in politics and leadership. The two-million-dollar project funded by the UN Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) seeks to promote legislative reforms, community-level leadership, and political parties’ engagement to provide women with more space in politics.
“The emergence of this project is quite timely,” said Minister Hon. Fatou Kinteh. “Therefore, in empowering women in the political sphere, we must work in partnership, collaboration and commitment in tackling such barriers that hinder women from being well represented in the political arena.”
Women represent more than half of The Gambia’s population, yet they remain highly underrepresented in leadership positions and decision-making platforms. In the next two years, this project seeks to roll back the trend by strengthening national legislation, legal framework, and political parties’ structures to ensure women’s political participation, promote more women in leadership positions at the community level and empower female candidates in national and local elections. The project will also work closely with communities and women-led civil society organizations to give young women the support and confidence to participate both in national and local elections.
“In our development effort, women and girls must be a priority,” said Ms. Ndéye Rose Sarr, UNFPA Country Representative in The Gambia. “It is our responsibility to ensure that women are granted all the opportunities they deserve, including representation in the political space. We need stronger collaboration and coordination to ensure that women are engaged positively in governance and leadership, enhancing their participation in violence prevention, promoting peace and inclusiveness towards national development.”
“This project could not have come at a better time, considering that Local Government Elections will be held in a few months,” said Ms. Aissata De, UNDP Resident Representative in The Gambia. “Putting more women in leadership positions and decision-making platforms will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, entrench democracy, and sustain peace in The Gambia.”
“It is in everyone’s interest that women not only have a voice in politics but also a seat at the table,” said Mr. Gordon Jonathan Lewis, UNICEF The Gambia Representative. “From a young age, many girls aspire for leadership, but socially constructed gender roles and other obstacles hold them back. We must strive to overcome these obstacles and give women the space and support to participate in politics and assume leadership roles.”
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About The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare (MoGCSW)
MoGCSW is the Government Ministry mandated to coordinate and ensure gender equality and equity, promote the survival, social protection, and development of children, vulnerable and excluded and persons with disability and integrate fulfillment of their rights, empowerment and full participation into National development.
For more information about MoGCSW and its work in The Gambia, follow on Twitter, Facebook.
About UNFPA
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA calls for the realisation of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services.
For more information about UNFPA and its work in The Gambia, visit www.gambia.unfpa.org.
Follow UNFPA The Gambia on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP’s Regional Programme for Africa contributes to regional development by addressing challenges facing the continent and amplifying opportunities related to the priorities and aspirations defined by the African Union and other regional entities.
For more information, visit www.undp.org/gambia, Facebook: UNDP The Gambia, Twitter: UNDP_TheGambia
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/gambia.
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Media Contacts
Faith Ememodo, Communication Associate, UNFPA The Gambia - ememodo@unfpa.org
Mariam Njai, Communication Analyst, UNDP The Gambia - mariam.njai@undp.org
Abdoulie Sey, Communication Officer, UNICEF Gambia – asey@unicef.org
