Holding under the framework of the SWEDD+ project, this high-profile gathering is expected to mobilise First Ladies across West and Central Africa to take stronger leadership roles in addressing GBV and tackling the persistent challenge of school dropout among adolescent girls.
The forum aims to reinforce institutional mechanisms, consolidate ongoing progress, and promote gender-transformative policies that advance the social and economic empowerment of women and girls across the region. It also seeks to elevate political commitment at the highest level, positioning First Ladies as key advocates in shaping national and regional responses to GBV.
Ahead of the main forum, a series of technical and policy engagements including expert-level and ministerial meetings will lay the groundwork for informed dialogue and coordinated action. These sessions are expected to generate strategic recommendations to strengthen the implementation of the SWEDD+ initiative.
Organisers held a press conference on Saturday as part of pre-event activities, signaling growing momentum and regional attention ahead of the official opening. The media engagement underscored the urgency of addressing GBV and highlighted the forum as a critical platform for unified action.
With delegates, policymakers, and development partners converging in Banjul, The Gender Minister Fatou Kine stated that expectations are that the forum will deliver concrete commitments and actionable outcomes in the ongoing fight against gender-based violence in Africa.
Gov’t freezes officials’ foreign travels amid global crisis
The Government of The Gambia has announced an immediate suspension of all non-statutory official travels for public officials, citing mounting global economic pressures triggered by escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The directive, issued by the Office of the President through Chief of Staff Alieu Loum on April 4, 2026, orders a halt to all non-essential government travel abroad, as authorities move to safeguard national resources and prioritize critical spending.
According to the circular, the decision comes in response to worsening global economic conditions, disruptions in international supply chains, and increasing constraints on access to essential goods and services. These developments, government says, are placing significant strain on the country’s already limited resources.
“All non-statutory official travels are hereby suspended with immediate effect and until further notice,” the statement read.
The directive emphasizes that only travels deemed strictly statutory, unavoidable, and essential will be consideredand even then, prior approval must be obtained directly from the Office of the President before any arrangements are made.
Senior government officials, including Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Agencies, and Chief Executive Officers, have been instructed to rigorously scrutinize all travel requests. Any approved trips must be fully justified and limited to the minimum number of officials required.
In a further tightening of controls, the Director General of Immigration has been directed to enforce the order strictly. No public official will be allowed to leave the country on official duty without valid clearance from the Office of the President at any border point, including airports, seaports, and land crossings.
The circular underscores that compliance is mandatory and anchored in existing legal frameworks, including the Public Finance Act, Financial Regulations, and General Orders governing public service conduct and expenditure.
“Any breach shall constitute misconduct and may result in administrative and disciplinary action,” the directive warned.
The sweeping measure affects all government ministries and institutions, with accounting officers tasked to ensure full adherence. It remains in force until further notice.
The move signals a shift toward austerity and fiscal discipline as the government navigates external economic shocks, with a clear focus on minimizing non-essential expenditure while preserving funds for priority sectors.
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