By Kemo Kanyi
The United States Embassy in The Gambia held Women’s Leadership Empowerment and Networking Forum at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on 18 January 2024.
The event was centered on issues pertinent to women’s leadership in various sectors.
The occasion was graced by Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Fatou Bah-Barrow, former vice presidents of The Republic of The Gambia, FatoumataJallow-Tambajang and Dr. Isatou Touray, the Lord Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, the US Ambassador to The Gambia, Sharon L. Cromer and women leadership from various sectors.
Susan C. Solomon, public affairs officer at the US Embassy of The Gambia, highlighted that the United States has supported women and girls in The Gambia by providing aids through USAID projects, State Department grants to Gambian NGO’s, involving in schools, communities, and participants in exchange and fellowship programs.
“More than 53% of US Embassy supported business start-ups are women-owned and they are thriving. The United States Department of Agriculture is implementing the $28.5 million McGovern-Dole food for the education program. This focuses on child nutrition, girls’ education, and literacy. The project delivers meals for 57,000 children,” she revealed.
Madam Solomon said the United States supports women in The Gambia, including Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which planned to focus on transportation and education while ensuring gender inclusivity.
The Ambassador of the United States to The Gambia, Sharon L. Cromer, explained that she discussed with young women across The Gambia, who wish to further their education careers, to become successful entrepreneurs, lawyers, and other representative positions but have the fear of being forced into early marriage.
“Gender equality is a cornerstone to a healthy society. It also plays a crucial role in the nation’seconomic development. World Bank reported that closing gender employment gaps will boost long-term local Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita by almost 20%,” she pointed out.
She advised women to support each other if they want to bridge the gaps, adding that working women invest almost 90% of their earnings on their children and household needs.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the First Lady, the wife of the Vice President of The Gambia, Mariam D. Jallow, said gender-based violence creates an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, holding back women’s potential, saying the underrepresentation of women in decision-making positions are significant challenges faced by women in accessing resources and support.
“We must actively work towards dismantling these barriers. The step taken by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare is by introducing women enterprise fund, which empowers women to be leaders in various areas. This will give women access to financial support necessary for economic development and financial independence,” she asserted.
