The top diplomat made the remarks during a public lecture on the topic ‘Inclusive Democracy’ at the Kairaba International Conference Center on Friday.
Speaking on the growing presence of International IDEA in West Africa, SG Zamora said, “as some of you are aware this include supporting the remarkable democratic trajectory of The Gambia over the past several years. And especially this country’s tremendous achievement of holding peaceful presidential and parliamentary elections in 2021, 2022.
It could be recalled that International IDEA played an integral role towards Gambia’s peaceful election. The institution together with political actors developed, promoted and monitored a codes of conduct which were widely accepted laying a foundation for a peaceful and successful outcomes
During his lecture on Inclusive Democracy, SG Casas-Zamora delved on the centrality of inclusion in a democratic system, gender equality on the core element of inclusion and The Gambia’s progress on the road towards an inclusive democracy.
He expressed delight on the level of progress made in West Africa, however, the Costa Rica born diplomat argued that there is more room for improvement to minimize gender inequality in the world.
“It will take 140 years for women to achieve equal representation in leadership positions the work places,” he said. “It will take an astonishing two hundred and eighty six years to close gaps in legal protection and removes discriminatory laws.”
On the Gambia’s progress in democracy, Dr. Zamora said: “In many respects, The Gambia’s democratic trajectory is a model of inclusivity. International IDEA’s latest report on the global state of democracy shows The Gambia continuing to improve across a wide variety of indicators tie to inclusion like civic engagement, personal safety and the protection of rights.”
International IDEA continues to play a pivotal role in Gambia’s transitional democracy and Secretary General Casa-Zamora reiterated the intuition’s commitment to continuous support to The Gambia.
Meanwhile, International IDEA which comprises 34 member states including eight African countries with a total of 20 offices around the world will open its newest office in The Gambia.
