The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in The Gambia and The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Gender Equality Seal (GES) for the Private Sector Programme in The Gambia.
According a statement made to available on Wednesday, 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 Gender Equality Seal 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.
Speaking at the occasion, the CEO GCCI, Mr. Alieu Secka, urged the private sector in the Gambia to “rise up and implement”.
He said The Gambian government made a commitment to support the implementation of the Gender Equality Seal (GES) for the Private sector in The Gambia in December 2016.
He disclosed that the private sector gender equality seal is to be piloted in 7 private companies in The Gambia, including Africell GSM Company and TAF Global.
He also said the GCCI acts as the lead institution for the Gender Equality Seal for Private Sector Programme and also one of the pilot companies.
Launched by national governments with support from UNDP, the Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme assists public and private institutions to ensure that their workplaces are fair and equitable, for a productive and innovative workforce, while enhancing efficiency and promoting accountability – with higher rates of women in non-traditional sectors and leadership roles, the statement said.
According to the statement, the Gender Equality seal was developed in collaboration with the private sector and governments to create certification incentives when commitments towards gender equality are met.
The statement pointed out that piloted in Latin America, with certifications for over 600 companies and 1,900 branches in 14 countries since 2009, a global roll-out of the programme has provided support and acknowledgement to actors working to close the gender gap.
The statement further said 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 group of countries to take part in capacity development for the Gender Equality Seal Programme, with support from UNDP,” the statement disclosed
