UNDP Press Release: UNDP and The Gambia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement the Gender Equality Seal for the Private Sector Programme in The Gambia

Launched by national governments with support from UNDP, the Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme assists public & private institutions to ensure that their workplaces are fair and equitable, for a productive and innovative workforce, while enhancing efficiency & promoting accountability – with higher rates of women in non-traditional sectors & leadership roles. 

The Gender Equality seal was developed in collaboration with the private sector & governments to create certification incentives when commitments towards gender equality are met. Piloted in Latin America, with certifications for over 600 companies & 1,900 branches in 14 countries since 2009, a global roll-out of the programme has provided support & acknowledgement to actors working to close the gender gap.

From November 2018, UNDP Africa rolled out the Gender Equality Seal Programme to help professionals gain expert knowledge and implement policies, aimed at harnessing the benefits of the certification programme in public and private institutions. The Gambia, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa are among the first cohort of countries to take part in capacity development for the Gender Equality Seal Programme, with support from UNDP.

To date, over 1,700 public & private companies are engaged in the implementation of the programme& 400 companies have been certified. These companies have reaped a number of benefits, including but not necessarily limited to:

1. A more just & equitable Work Environment.
2. Greater Efficiency & Staff Performance.
3. Enhanced Public Image and Brand Loyalty.
4. Enhanced Employee Competence & Commitment.
5. Reduced Staff Turnover.
6. Greater Accountability & Transparency in Institutions.

The Gambia Government made a commitment to support the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal (GES) for the Private sector in The Gambia in December 2016. The Private Sector Gender Equality Seal is to be piloted in 7 private companies in The Gambia including Africell and TAF Global. The GCCI acts as the lead institution for the Gender Equality Seal for Private Sector Programme and is also one of the pilot companies.

On the  20^th May 2020, The GCCI and UNDP signed an MOU .The purpose of the MOU is to provide a framework of cooperation that will facilitate and strengthen collaboration between the UNDP and GCCI on a non-exclusive basis, for the pilot and roll out of the GES for Private Sector in The Gambia.

The GES Certification Programme will support and guide the private sector’s delivery and compliance to gender equality principles by establishing standards that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. Implementing the GES will also help in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. The CEO GCCI Mr. Alieu Secka urges the private sector in the Gambia to “rise up and implement”’.