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The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”.

Mar 9, 2016, 11:10 AM

Though we have much to celebrate today, especially here in The Gambia with the amendment to the Women’s Act 2010 prohibiting FGM, progress towards gender equality and human rights in many places around the world, including The Gambia, has not been as progressive as we had envisioned. We still have much work to do and must continue to highlight the inequalities, educate our fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles and brothers and ultimately empower our girl child to be innovative, aspiring and a source of inspiration as they endeavor to towards the development of our society.

In celebrating this day and this month of WOMEN, FLAG calls upon everyone, both men and women, topledge to STEP IT UP by taking concrete steps towards meeting our goal of gender equality more quickly. This can take many forms, such as helping women and girls achieve their aspirations by supporting educational needs, mentoring, advocating for respect, reporting gender based violence or speaking against workplace discrimination. Each of us can be a leader within our own area of influence, be it at home, at work or in our communities and commit to take positive steps to promote and facilitate gender equality.

In the Gambia, women continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement and there are so many of our women who we can identify. To all of our members and sponsors who have contributed one way or the other, we wish to thank each one of them. This year FLAG will celebrate its 10thAnniversary and FLAG wants to take this opportunity to celebrate some outstanding women in our society who have since our inception helped us in achieving our objectives:

Vice President and Minister for Women Affairs Aja Isatou Njie Saidy

Proprietress of Paradise Suites Hotel, Mrs. Amie Lette

Proprietress of Fatima Trading Fatou Senghore

Mrs. Fatou Bom Bensouda

Ms. Veronica Wright

Mrs. Janet Sallah Njie