She made this statement at an occasion marking International Women’s Day organised by the World Bank at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center on Wednesday.
“FGM is not only a violation of human rights but also has serious health risk that leads to long term physical and psychological problems,” the gender minister said.
Her ministry, she affirmed, is committed to protecting women and girls’ rights at all cost, especially from harmful practices like FGM.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Invest In Women: Accelerate Progress”, which the Minister emphasised should be adhered to.
She also called for more investment in women’s health, education and economic opportunities as a pathway to accelerate progress for everyone, adding that once women are given financial opportunities and are economically empowered, “they become socially and politically empowered” as well.
In her remarks on the occasion, the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Claudiana A. Cole, underscored the importance of investing in women, saying women form the greater percentage of the Gambian population.
Society cannot progress and develop if women are left out of the equation, she says, adding that to meet SDG goal 5 as a country, women should be included in all aspects of development.
Minister Cole also urged men to support women in the fight for gender equality and equity for women to enjoy the rights they deserve. She also urged men to perceive women as partners in development and not as competitors.
“We must be considered as partners in our communities, homes and at national level,” Minister Cole emphasised.
World Bank Country Director Keiko Miwa, for her part, said commemorating International Women’s Day is not only to celebrate women but to reflect on the achievements of women and challenges such as FGM that persists and continues to affect the lives of many women and girls in The Gambia.
