The
3rd Edition of the Gambia Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) 2019 was officially
launched at the Paradise Suite Hotel in Kololi last week, on the Theme: Power
of inclusion.
The
occasion has also witnessed the launching of the She Trades Gender Champions
and the unveilings of the Gender Champions led by the ministers of basic and
secondary education and women, children and social welfare.
Ramatoulie
Barry, chief executive officer of Bridging Gaps Advisory said the advancement
of women in all areas of national development needs the equal participation of
all national sectors, including male counterparts, adding that despite some
progresses made in advancing women participation towards the country’s
socio-economic advancement, some challenges still need to be addressed.
“The
participation of women in national development cannot be over emphasized. So,
it is important as a country to realize the vital contribution women add to the
socio-economic advancement of our nation.”
Minister
of women, children and social welfare, Fatou Sanyang unveiling the Gender
Champions and officially launching the She Trades Gender Champions said the
participation of women in the socio-economic sectors of the country should be
embraced by different development institutions in the country, saying that will
help in the realization of womens’ meaningful contribution to nation building.
She
said She Trades Gender Champions and the women leadership Gender Forum both
serve as platforms to discuss and address the existing challenges women are
facing not only in the business sector but also social difficulties such as
early marriage and domestic gender hardships.
“The
She Trades Gender Champions and Women’s Leadership Gender forum platform stand
as opportunity for women to discuss and fine possible ways of challenges on
their ways. So, it is important that we continue having such platforms to
discuss and fine means of addressing problems relating to our progress,” she
said
In
her keynote address and official opening of the Women Leadership Forum 2019,
Basic and Secondary Education Minister, Claudiana Cole said national statistics
show tremendous role achieved by women towards development its small sector
economy, stating that the participation of women in all areas of economic,
social and political realization of a country cannot be achieve without the
support of Government and other development partners.
She
said Government of The Gambia places great importance in the development of
women, citing the creation of women, children and social welfare ministry,
saying that is mainly instituted to promote the welfare of women and children
in the country.
“The
Government of the Gambia has attached importance towards the progress of women
and this of course is being indicated by the creation of a new ministry
responsible for women and children welfare. We are going to continue putting
great concern on women as a government so that the development pace of the
economy will be fully realize,” she said.
