Women Demand More Decision-Making Positions

As Vice President Reassures Consideration

Women from different walks of life are taking part in a two-day validation workshop of the Capacity Assessment for women in decision making process in the country.

The draft report on Capacity Assessment of women in decision-making positions revealed that in The Gambia the percentage ratio of male to female is as follows: Mayors- 100% male, 0% female; Secretaries of State- 66% male, 33.3% female; Permanent Secretaries- 70.59% male, 29. 41% female; Directors- 80% male, 20% female; National Assembly Members - 90.3% male and 9.7% female; Governors - 100% male, 0% female; Ward Councilors - 86.84% male, 13.16% female. It was clear that the women in attendance were not satisfied with the statistics, hence their demand for more women in decision making process. The women also made recommendations to formulate a strategy for the enactment of the 2007 Women’s Bill and other policy documents relating to the empowerment of women.

Addressing the opening ceremony at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul on Wednesday, the Vice President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs said that the findings of the assessment would assist in making recommendations for women’s effective participation in decision-making, both in the public and private sector. “Women of recent have been given positions as Vice President, Speaker of National Assembly, Secretaries of State, Ambassadors, High Court Judges, National Assembly Members, Councilors and other positions held by women in the private sector among others. His Excellency the President, over the years, has demonstrated his political will in both nominating and appointing women to top positions,” she said. She encouraged the participants to fully participate in the deliberations to come out with tangible recommendations.

For his part, Vitala Muctin, UNDP Resident Representative, noted that the participation of women in all aspects o decision-making is indispensable in the strive to achieve the millennium goals.

Honourabe Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly, thanked the UN system in The Gambia for their support towards the attainment of gender equity and equality in The Gambia. She also applauded the government for empowering Gambian women.

Lamin Ceesay, Deputy Director Women’s Bureau, earlier on made the welcoming remark.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that a capacity enhancement for women in decision- making projects is part of the UNDP 2007 country programme and within the context of UNDAF 2007 to 2011. The ceremony was attended by several Secretaries of State and gender activists.