Gambian First Lady commits to protection of women rights, others
By Sulayman Waan
H.E. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia on Wednesday said that her office is protecting and promoting women and differently able rights.
She made the remarks at a side event organized by The Gambia during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The event focused on the theme: “Review Progress of Programme of Action of the Beijing @30 Declaration: The Case Study of The Experience on the Pushback Effect of Repealing The Women’s Amendment Act, 2015, The Journey to Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”
She extended her sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and its partners for organizing the side event and for their efforts to address the pushback effects of repealing the Women’s Amendment Act, 2015.
“The Office of the First Lady is committed to the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls, including persons with disabilities, to have safe and secure livelihoods,” she affirmed.
First Lady Barrow highlighted her office’s collaboration with development partners and civil society organizations to support efforts to uphold the law banning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), enacted through the Women’s (Amendment) Act of 2015. This law criminalizes FGM, imposing penalties of up to three years of imprisonment or fines, with harsher sentences if the practice results in death, she added.
“Over the years, my office has implemented programs towards achieving the critical areas of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action. Our programs align with global commitments to end harmful practices, providing a framework for harmonized advocacy and creating pathways for effective enforcement of sexual and gender-based violence-related laws,” she stated.
“At the national level, relevant stakeholders continue to engage local communities through grassroots advocacy initiatives involving traditional and religious leaders, as well as civil society organizations, in raising awareness about the harmful effects of FGM. Public awareness campaigns have also been launched to educate communities about the physical and psychological consequences of FGM and the legal repercussions of engaging in the practice,” she further said.
Furthermore, she noted that efforts have been made to provide medical and psychological support to survivors of FGM, helping them recover and reintegrate into society. The Government has taken crucial steps to enforce the ban, including prosecuting individuals who violate the law. In 2023, for example, three women were convicted for performing FGM on eight infant girls, marking a significant milestone in the fight against harmful practices.
However, she acknowledged that while this achievement marked a huge step towards realizing the critical areas of Beijing+30, the celebration was short-lived. In September 2023, a Private Member Bill was introduced at the National Assembly to repeal the Women’s Amendment Act 2015 and lift the ban on FGM/C in The Gambia. The bill was ultimately voted down by the National Assembly, reaffirming The Gambia’s commitment to human rights, gender equality, and protecting the health and well-being of girls and women.
First Lady Barrow emphasized that while considerable progress has been made in maintaining the ban on FGM, challenges remain, including continued resistance from some communities. She underscored the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and grassroots mobilization, reaffirming The Gambia’s commitment to consolidating gains and accelerating progress to eliminate FGM.
“As we review Beijing+30, it is time to accelerate progress. The Gambia calls on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and unit against growing pushback and regression in gender equality. Gender equality should remain at the core of our obligations as citizens of the world. Together, we can build a future that leaves no one behind by upholding the dignity and rights of every woman and girl,” she concluded.
SW/COB/16/03/25
