Stakeholders validate report on women’s socio-economic rights in Niamina districts

The mid-term evaluation forum, held Action Aid headquarters in Kanifing, was funded by the European Union (EU) for stakeholders to review and validate the mid-term review report of the project.

The project, which began in February 2014 and is to end in 2016, is aimed at contributing to gender equity in The Gambia through the promotion of political, social and economic rights of women.

Speaking at the validation forum, Omar Badjie, executive director of Action Aid The Gambia, said they have been implementing the project for one and half year.

He said the forum was organised for stakeholders to review the development of the project based on the finding made over the period.

He explained that Action Aid has four strategic objectives which focus on supporting poverty eradication and eradication of injustice.

These objectives are pursued through sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, education, youth development and women’s rights promotion.

Mr Badjie said the women’s rights component focus on two areas: the fight against violence against women, and the economic empowerment of women.

According to him, the abuse of women is because they “entirely depend on men” for everything but if they are independent that could reduce the abuse in the society.

“That is why this project is focusing on empowering women,” he said.

Fanta Jatta-Sowe, Action Aid women’s rights programme specialist, who is also the project coordinator, said the project is being implemented in partnership with the Female Lawyers Association (FLAG), and the National Association for Women Farmers (NAWFA).

She said they have conducted a baseline study which gives them the set of points as a yardstick to know how far they have gone under the project.

She explained that based on the recommendations from the review forum, they would know what is not working towards their desired goals and consolidate some of the strategic processes.