STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WOMEN’S AFFAIRS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION
Wednesday 8th March 2006

Fellow Gambians,
March 8th is annually celebrated as International Women’s Day. It should be noted that the founding of the United Nations in 1945, after the Second World War, and the emergence of Independent states, were some of the very important events, that triggered the political, economic and social liberation of women. The improved status of women, and the removal of obstacles to the enhancement of their lives, at national, regional and international levels, were further reinforced by: The International Women’s Year 1972 and World Conference held in Mexico city in 1975 and Copenhagen in 1980, Nairobi in 1985, and the United Nations decade for Women 1985-1995.

National Governments made tremendous efforts to end all forms of discrimination against women in cognizance of the fact that women’s reproductive roles, are closely linked to their political, economic. Social, cultural and educational conditions, that constrained their advancement as equal partners and beneficiaries of development. Economic exploitation of women, marginalization and unhelpful social attitudes and practices, result in profound, inequalities and injustices at the household, the family, community, national and international levels.

The United Nations general Assembly in 1972 proclaimed the International Women’s Year. The objective of this proclamation was threefold:-

(1) to promote equality between men and women i.e. equal gender opportunities between the sexes.

(2) To ensure the full integration of women in the development efforts and processes, as equal partners and beneficiaries.

(3) To increase women’s contribution to the strengthening of global and or world peace.

Fellow Gambians,
These objectives were adopted, by the World Conference of the International Women’s Year at Mexico in 1975, and that resolution was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly, and the UN proclaimed 1975-1985 as the UN Decade for Women.

In 1980, at the mid point of the decade, the UN General Assembly, adopted the International Development Strategy, which stressed the participation of women in the development process, as partners, agents and beneficiaries, thereby bringing about profound social and economic changes, towards eliminating all structural imbalances that compounded and perpetuated Women’s disadvantaged position in society.

Fellow Gambians,
As I said earlier on, March 8th has been recognized by the United Nations, as International Women’s Day. It is on this day, that women World over, irrespective of their ethnic, cultural, economic and political differences and background, come together as one, to reflect on their struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. It is an occasion that creates the opportunity for women to unite in partnership with the rest of society, to network, and mobilize for positive and meaningful change, and socio-economic transformation for them, and through them, the rest of society.

The 2005 National theme was: “Reducing the Poverty Levels of Women” and this year’s theme, “Women in leadership and Decision Making” is also timely, in an unequal world and society, that restricts decision-making powers for women, all levels. Our traditional agricultural system is reliant upon women, yet they are disadvantaged with regards to land ownership and access to productive resources and related support services until recently.

The Gambia participated in many international for a that brought women’s issues to the forefront of development Agenda, interventions and concerns.

Government seeks to translate the objectives of Vision 2020, by harmonizing the relationship between the sexes, through the eliminating of inequalities and the empowerment of women. It is only through participation in decision -making, that women can take their destinies in their own hands, in partnership with men. Equity and equal opportunities is not an issue to be deferred, until at a later stage of development; nor is it an issue that will cease to matter. Countries dealing effectively with equity issues are rewarded with increased: economic growth, human security, life expectancy, and environmental sustainability.

Fellow Gambians,
The chosen theme for this year “Women in Leadership and decision making is timely. Decision making and ensuring decision arrived are representative enough cannot be realised without the effective and equal participation of Women and Girls.

Consulting women and girls, to arrive at critical decisions taken or made on the household, community National Regional and International levels, only serve to enhance the quality and wholesomeness of the decisions arrived at.

Government would continue its resolve to facilitate and encourage women to continue to participate more effectively in decision making and leadership, as equal partners, thus further enhancing the gains made, over the years, resulting in the increased participation of women in the Public Private and the informal sector levels e.g. as Secretaries of states, National Assembly members, Senior Government officials, as well as, their increased participation at decentralized government levels. The rest of society should pick the cue and example from government.

As the Head of Government, H.E. The President, Dr. Alhajie Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, himself, is fully committed, and takes the lead role, as advocate for the cause of women and girls, towards their empowerment, as equal partners and beneficiaries, in development, thus complementing the efforts of men and boys. This political will and leadership has resulted in the significant gains registered so far, which include the adoption of the 1997 constitution and sectoral, gender sensitive policies and programmes. Society for its own sake should compliment the political will exhibited by government, by empowering women and girls, and by consulting them on important decisions, to facilitate efficient, effective, holistic and equitable development, and meaningful socio-economic transformation for both gender.

The Government of The Gambia, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, endeavours to apply equity measures in order to improve the quality of life for all, and strengthen the cohesion of our people, and of our different social groups. The task of social policy, in a context of profound inequality can be challenging and/or futile task. The basis of citizenship lies in a sense of National and common identity, the feeling of belonging. The Women’s Bureau and Council, aim to bind men and women together, along with the concerns they share. When people belong, they care. When they care, they act to contribute to the well being of society, actions that would precede even participatory rights. So full participation in the decision-making process, by all sectors of the population including women, the poor and, the landless-ensures that development responds to popular needs. Participation can transform societies thereby, communities of passive recipients of government activity, become active partners.

Some women do not own land in villages and are not regarded as households heads, and do not participate in the decision-making process in their villages. The inability by the majority of women to make decisions on issues affecting them, mean that those issues remained unaddressed, unheard and unchanged. This will remain as a problem for girls and women until when they are empowered, and adequately represented, at critical decision-making levels.

Women of The Gambia have made a marked head way, in the development process, in the past years. Women have progressed in the economic, social and political fields. For example Women have become more educated and skillful, and this is, source of pride.

The theme “women in leadership and decision-making” is enshrined in The Millennium Development Goal; The Beijing Platform for Action the Cairo ICPD programme of Action on population development and at national, level in Vision 2020, and the PRSP. Therefore, the need for ensuring that women participate effectively in Decision-making has begun to be recognized.

Fellow Gambians,
The Women’s Bureau, under the Department of State for Women’s Affairs has developed plans, for the next five years, one of these plans, being the Silver Jubilee, and the International Women’s Day celebrations. The Silver Jubilee and the 2006 International Women’s Day are days for celebration of success, but yet too it is an occasion, to reflect on, and take stock of progress and challenges. Although the achievements are appreciated and recognized, you will agree with me, that a lot needs to be done especially, towards the attainment of critical development goals: eradication of poverty, the fulfilment of the basic needs of all people, and the continued protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the right to development among others. These goals are central to the attainment of development, because an individual’s well-being is multifaceted, thus, a multidimensional approach is essential. Therefore, in the formulation of strategies and policies national regional or international, action has to be based on an integrated and comprehensive approach, including the allocation of adequate resources, both human, material and financial, as I reiterated, during the launching of the 2006 international women’s day and the National Women’s Council and Women’s Bureau Silver Jubilee.

The Gambia may be small but in comparison to many other nations, we are doing well. On these successes registered, women and girls, men and boys, young and old, rural and urban populations, have all been accorded the opportunity to benefit, as indicated previously, and their needs and concerns are incorporated in the Gambia’s MTP cum PRSP and UNDAF 2007-2011 all being strategic documents for the achievement of the MDGs and VISION 2020 goals, which ensures that gender and women’s empowerment and related strategies are adequately incorporated. Thus as a way forward, a five year action plan and project has been drafted.

The action plan looks at three main objectives: One being the reduction in child and maternal mortality and improvement of the general wellbeing and health conditions of women; two being to ensure quality education and training for women and girls and thirdly, to improve and increase productivity, quality, marketing and production of women goods and services.