“I wish to assure my continued commitment to the call for gender equality and the empowerment of women. I also pledge to work closely with the first ladies of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Senegal to jointly tackle the effects of negative social and cultural norms on GBV by enhancing services for survivors. Additionally, we will engage in community dialogue and raise awareness,” she remarked.
First Lady Barrow expressed gratitude to the UNFPA and the governments of The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Italy for organising this important side event during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. "We have learned and witnessed the sharing of experiences on best practices and lessons from the progress registered over the 30 years of implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in our region and beyond," she added.
She emphasised the importance of building a regional movement focused on transformative change through strategic partnerships across the continent. The movement aims to eliminate barriers to gender equality and actively invest in adolescent girls over the next five years, ahead of Beijing+40, with the ultimate goal of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
First Lady Barrow highlighted that her organisation, FaBB, in collaboration with the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), will forge partnerships with civil society and local communities to create a safer and more inclusive environment free of GBV. This new movement seeks to dismantle the stigma surrounding GBV, which often deters survivors from reporting incidents or seeking help due to fear of retaliation, social exclusion, or disbelief.
First Lady Fatou Bah Barrow delivered her closing statement at an event organised by the Governments of The Gambia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Italy, and UNFPA. The event was moderated by Ms. Cecile Mazzacurati, Gender & Human Rights Advisor at UNFPA, and took place on Monday, March 17th, at the UN Headquarters in Conference Room E.
The Gambian delegation was ably represented by the Secretary General and Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Alieu Njie, Spouse of the Vice President, H.E Mariama Jallow, Permanent representative to the United Nations, Lamin B. Dibba, Ambassador Momodou Lamin Bah amongst other delegates.
Sarjo M. Camara, Communications Officer Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, reporting from New York
