The
Gambia has hosted the World Deliver Women’s Forum; a major international forum
on women, organised by World
Movement for Democracy Centre
for International Private
Enterprise in collaboration with Future
In Our Hands The Gambia.
The
forum aims to strengthen women voices in governance and broader society by exploring mutual interests among women leaders from government, civil
society and other private
sector, and encouraging effective
partnerships to strengthen
inclusive in the Gambia.
It
is expected to provoke lively
discussion and peer- to - peer
learning opportunities on topics of
policy advocacy and implementation of
Gambia’s Nation Development Plan,
responsive governance in The Gambia: Ethics,
society, economic and
political inclusion, inclusive
approaches to entrepreneurship and policy engagement.
Hannah
Forster, Executive Director,
African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, who
spoke on strengthening women voices in governance
and broader society in The Gambia said while women comprise 56% of the electoral body, they are
seriously underrepresented in elected
and appointed bodies.
“With
a female presence of only 7% in the National Assembly, they form less than 23
percent in local councils and about 17% at the level of the central executive,”
she said.
She
added that gender rights present challenges from multiple perspectives, ranging
from deficit in political party participation and representation to a culture
of marginalisation of women and violations of their fundamental human rights.
“Moreover,
women are discouraged to voice their problems and concerns and are exposed to
constant pressures of a patriarchal society.
We must note the importance of women participation and accept that they
most lead the change in making democracy deliver.”
Madam
Forster also said the important role that women play in processes and providing
all the opportunities possible for the benefit of the communities and the
nation need to be recognised.
“Women
need to be encouraged to get out of our comfort zones and reach across the
different sectors to find mutual interest in advancing inclusive democracy
policies and reform that benefits us and our communities,” she added.
According
to her, Government efforts need to be complimented, saying all hands must be on
deck and the role of women in government, public and private partnership cannot
be overemphasised.
Kumba
Sanneh, board chairperson of Future In Our Hands applauded the partnership
towards the campaign from starting to date, saying she has been hoping that
there will be a fulfilled outcome at the end of the forum.
Sarata
Conateh, programme officer of Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry
highlighted the need for support to provide the enabling environment for
business to grow. She also highlighted the partnership between her institution
and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) towards the development
of businesses, especially young entrepreneurs.
