Representing the President of The Gambia, His Excellency Muhammed B.S. Jallow reaffirmed the government’s unwavering stance in tackling GBV as a national priority. He emphasized that protecting women and girls remains central to the country’s development agenda, calling for sustained collaboration among governments, institutions, and communities.
At the heart of the forum were the First Ladies, whose leadership set the tone for renewed political will and transformative change. The First Lady of The Gambia, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, alongside Her Excellency Marie Khone Faye, championed a united regional front grounded in zero tolerance for GBV and the advancement of women’s rights.
In her welcome address, Bah-Barrow described gender-based violence as a grave violation of human rights that continues to undermine dignity, health, and national development. She highlighted The Gambia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen legal frameworks, expand access to justice, and provide survivor-centered support services, while acknowledging that persistent gaps in enforcement and social norms still require urgent attention.
She pointed to key national initiatives, including the Zero Out-of-School Children Programme implemented in partnership with the Qatar Foundation, which has helped reintegrate thousands of children into the education system. She also underscored the importance of women’s economic empowerment and increased participation in science and technology fields, noting that such investments are critical to long-term societal transformation.
Calling for bold and innovative solutions, the First Lady advocated for stronger justice systems, the establishment of specialized courts on GBV, and greater attention to emerging forms of abuse such as online violence. She urged leaders across the continent to deepen collaboration and commit resources toward ending GBV once and for all.
Echoing similar concerns, Her Excellency Marie Khone Faye delivered a stirring address, describing the gathering as a necessary response to years of silence surrounding violence against women. She stressed that Africa’s future must be built on dignity, equality, and security for every woman and girl.
Citing troubling statistics, she warned that GBV continues to destroy lives and limit opportunities, despite ongoing reforms. While reaffirming Senegal’s zero-tolerance policy and legal advancements, she emphasized that legislation alone is not enough without tangible change at the community level.
“Investing in women is not an act of charity, but a foundation for justice and prosperity,” she stated, calling for stronger commitment to education, healthcare, and economic empowerment as essential tools for protection and progress.
Meanwhile, Fatou Jagne Senghore underscored the urgency of expanding access to essential services for women and adolescents, strengthening their economic autonomy, and scaling up efforts to prevent all forms of violence.
She noted that the forum has once again exposed the devastating and far-reaching consequences of GBV across communities, stressing that its cross-border nature demands a comprehensive and coordinated response. According to her, effective strategies must integrate prevention, protection, survivor support, and access to justice, backed by strong partnerships and information sharing.
Reaffirming commitment at the national level, she highlighted efforts by the Central African Republic to strengthen institutional coordination, improve GBV response systems, and drive lasting behavioral change. She also expressed readiness to align with the regional roadmap emerging from the forum and deepen collaboration within the SWEDD+ framework.
Senghore further called on technical and financial partners to scale up investments, particularly in programmes targeting adolescents, integrated services for survivors, and robust monitoring and accountability systems.
The forum concluded with a resounding call for collective action, with participants emphasizing that ending GBV is not only a moral imperative but a critical foundation for sustainable development, peace, and regional prosperity.
