By Mama A. Touray
The Office of the Vice President in conjunction with UNFPA-The Gambia last week launched The Gambia Investment Case at a ceremony held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba JawaraInternational Conference Centre in Bijilo.
According to officials, the Gambia Investment Case provides the roadmap for sustainable financing of the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls as the document offers a compelling case for durable investment in safeguarding women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health.
The UNFPA Country Representative, NdeyRose Sarr, described the launch of the document as a bold step, a plan and commitment to practical action.
“Achieving our goal in 2030 requires us to work closely as development partners, share expertise and pool resources to make the vision a reality, and the report emphasizes the need for sustainable financing to support maternal health, family planning, and efforts to combat gender-based violence and highlights the importance of strategic partnership,” she underlined in a statement she delivered at the launch.
Madam Sarr further stressed that the launch of the investment case is a significant step towards realizing several transformative objectives.
The UN Country Coordinator, SeraphineWakana, said the investment case is a robust advocacy and resource mobilization tool designed to catalyze positive change. She explained that The Gambia, like many other countries, faces challenges in achieving transformative results, adding that accelerating progress will only be attained by closing the resource gaps and increasing political commitment at all levels.
“The investment case will help in developing a national roadmap to finance maternal death, family planning, gender equity and create a fundamental understanding of the fiscal space to ensure investment is sustainable,” the senior UN official pointed out.
The Vice President of The Gambia, Muhammed B.S Jallow, was represented at the launch by the Minister of Public Services Mr. Babucarr Boye.
In a statement read on his behalf by Minister Boye, the Gambia’s VP said: “The investment case holds the potential of significant drips and not just saving rights but also fostering socioeconomic advantages from substantive and productive labor force with unwavering support and we remain committed and determined to champion sexual and reproductive health.”
The VP gave the reassurance of the Gambia government’s commitment to improving sexual and reproductive health services such as family planning, preventing maternal deaths and combating gender-based violence.
The Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service, Madam Salimatou Touray, was represented at the event by Mr. Alieu Loum, who said, the SG’s office is dedicated to collaborating closely with UNFPA to enhance governance, efficient development planning, informing policy decisions, and public accountability.
“The investment case offers the promise of saving lives and the potential to usher in socioeconomic benefits that weave through the society,” Mr. Loum underlined.