By: Mariama Njie
Bridging Gaps Advisory in Collaboration with International Trade Center and She-trades Board organized the 3rd Edition of Women’s Leadership Forum, held at local hotel Thursday November 7, 2019, the forum was held under the theme “The Power of inclusion’’.
The Overall objectives of this forum is to serve as a platform for a structured exchange between women and political, socio-economic leaders towards meaningful gender parity reforms and also consolidate current commitments in closing the gender gaps especially at decision making levels.
Speaking at the forum, Ramatoulie Barry Gaye, CEO of Bridging Gaps Advisory said, the women’s leadership forum was initiated to further their commitment to the strategic development and advancement of women.
“Also to provide a platform for our women to discuss issues, share information and network”, she added.
She pointed out that, the two previous editions of the WLF have attracted hundreds of participants, mostly women of diverse backgrounds and age groups, adding that this is a manifestation of the need for regular gathering of women to discuss issues relevant to their advancement.
According to her, in September 2015, world leaders adopted and committed themselves to the suitable development goals.
“They did this worked for global landscape to be redefined and be more enabling and inclusive, and for the landscape to place women, men and children in implementation plans”
“It is a widely known fact that the inclusion of women in economic, social and political activities drives development in The Gambia”, she said.
She singled out the high number of women entrepreneurs in the formal sector who do not have the opportunity to transition formal sector, noting that they are constrained by multiple factors such as limited access to markets, finance and technical business skills.
Mrs. Barry Gaye further explained that, one of their positive outcomes of last year’s event was the Women’s Leadership training which was held in Mbour Senegal, which was successfully conducted for Gambian women with the objectives of enhancing their leadership skills.
Mrs. Naffie Barry, Chairperson of She-Trades Board said her organization initiative in The Gambia is very much in line with the theme for this year’s Women Leadership forum ‘’Power of inclusion”.
“The project is doing this in two fronts, firstly empowering women owned businesses through trade for enhanced economic inclusion and secondly through the gender champion initiative’’, she said.
According to her, empowering women through trade can be an effective driver for the economic inclusion of women, which has potential to reduce poverty.
“Enabling women to participate in trade and improving of micro, small and medium-sized can translate into increased trade, competitiveness etc.”, she said.
