The
Vice President and Minister for Women’s Affairs, Isatou Njie-Saidy, Wednesday
applauded the Gambian leader for taking the concerns of his people at heart and
trying to address them accordingly.
Speaking
at the APRC women’s rally in Jarra Soma, the Vice President thanked the Gambian
leader for his love and support to the women of The Gambia, adding that the
Gambian women are proud to have the President as their leader.
She
said the Gambia government had made tremendous strides in various areas such as
health, education, empowerment of women and youths, children’s issues,
agriculture in particular, and its vision 2016 food self-sufficiency drive.
Addressing
thousands of spectators, VP said that over the years, “tremendous achievements”
had been made in the history of women’s empowerment since the advent of the
Second Republic.
She
said the main goal of the government is to fight against poverty hence there
have been programmes that would ensure significant reduction of poverty among
Gambian women, through the provision of livelihood skills to women through
vocational training.
Looking
at education as a key to development, the vice president emphasised that “the
government ensures that equal educational opportunities for men and women are
guaranteed through affirmative actions”, such as the reduction of school fees
or extension of free education up to Grade 12.
“The
current curriculum was reviewed to ensure that it caters for the employment and
development needs for women,” she stated.
She
also pointed out that significant progress was also registered in the field of
education in terms of enrolment and retention of girls in schools.
The
vice president also elaborated on health, stating that health policies and
programmes have also made significant impact, as there are significant
increases in the number of government hospitals, effective, accessible and
affordable reproductive health services.
Stressing
that the low prevalence rate of HIV, as well as the decline of infant mortality
rate has drastically reduced, she thanked the National Reproductive Health
Policy, National HIV/AIDS Policy, the National Nutrition Policy and the
National Population Policy and plan of action.
She
also highlighted the president’s treatment programmes for women and girls
through traditional treatment programmes.
She
said government encourages women to participate in the democratic governance,
particularly in the upcoming parliamentary election.
She
urged all Gambian women as they chart the road to elections to come forward as
well as to identify potential women candidates for the upcoming elections.
“I believe there is a clear need to mobilize
our efforts to consolidate peace and stability, deepen the roots of democratic
governance and bring about structural transformation to sustain the growth
momentum,” the VP noted.
The
vice president added that efforts had been made to stop trafficking in women
and children, as achievement and progress had been made since 2010, and the
Trafficking in Person’s Act 2007 is also being enforced.
“This
is a comprehensive piece of legislation that addresses amongst other things,
the menace of trafficking in women and children,” she said.
She
said the main purpose of the act is to prevent, suppress, and punish those
engaged in trafficking in persons, and to rehabilitate and reintegrate victims
of trafficking.
He
added that this has warranted the setting up of a national agency against
trafficking established to ensure the implementation of the act.
This,
she said, is the new era for women’s emancipation as they have achieved a lot
and would surely continue to achieve more under the stewardship of their
beloved president and father of the nation.
“Congratulations
to your excellency for your efforts in all sectors of advancement recognised
and awarded both nationally and internationally,” she said.
She
said the women of the country are grateful on the continuing advancement of
girls and women’s agenda, empowerment and related achievements.
