General
Source: All Africa
The assistant director at the Women's Bureau asserted the Gambia's commitment to end violence against women and girls. This, as he said is evident by the ratification of a number of important instruments with the provision concerning violence against women and girls.
Women empowerment is inescapable and as a result, we in The Gambia are grateful for the fact that we were among the first few to have seen the need to adjust to the inevitable. This came about as a result of the foresight and intellect demonstrated by a thoughtful government.
The Jammeh administration has for more than twenty years now done so much that it is increasingly becoming a daunting task to enumerate its achievements. But a number of the achievements registered are so compelling that we cannot but cite them. This is because of their significance in terms of accelerating the development process of the nation.
Efforts to empower the Gambian woman, for instance, has been a prominent feature in the development master plan of this administration, and it has been there since the early days of the revolution, with President Jammeh himself displaying a complete show of interest on the issue. In fact, the President's continued support for the cause of women in general, and Gambian women in particular, have earned him recognition as a champion of their cause, a recognition he enjoys far beyond the borders of this country.
Among key government positions held by women, the vice president of The Gambia is a woman and she is the longest serving vice president in the world. She also doubles as the minister of Women's Affairs, an evidence of the President's commitment to the empowerment of the womenfolk.
Therefore, as the government's commitment to consolidating the gains made on women empowerment is once again highlighted by the authorities, we hope the women of the country would continue to recognise this and amalgamate efforts to safeguard the common good.