Gambian Women take a firm stand for Progress
By Femi Peters – Gambian women from all works of life took a firm stand for unity in a bid to achieve development and progress in all their endeavours. This declaration was made at the launching of the Women federation on Saturday, when thousands of women meet to demonstrate their commitment towards National development as they commensurate the day with a march past by the women, schoolchildren, representatives of voluntary organizations, security forces, as well as women militants of political parties such as the opposition United Democratic Party.
Describing the occasion the President of the Gambia, Yahya Jammeh said the occasion was a milestone in the history of The Gambia, and that it represented victory for Gambian women, “who have never failed” to respond to his call for support and “have always been” at the forefront of national development.
The Major issues put in mind while creating this federation where the need to increase their efforts as Gambian women to combat poverty, improve access to education and health services, preserve the environment, advance their legal and human rights and highlighting the special concerns of the girl-child and end Gender based violence.
President Jammeh however reassured them that they would be granted equal opportunity to occupy key decision-making positions in his government, just like the men, noting that these has since commenced in virtually all the sectors that are critical to national development.
The launching of the Women Federation by Fatou Mbye, Chairperson of the National Women’s Council, who raised an appeal for support of D280 million for another project to establish a Women’s Multi-purpose Market Complex. Furthermore, also witnessed was the launching of the African Union Women’s Decade 2010-2020, and the commemoration of International Women’s Day 2010, in The Gambia on that day long event
