By: Fatou krubally
Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Fatou Kinteh, has emphasized the critical role of women’s economic empowerment in the development of the Gambia.
In her closing remarks at the Eighth Stake in the Nation Forum (SNF8) on Saturday, which focused on Diaspora Jobs and financing for development, she highlighted the importance of creating sustainable and desirable job opportunities for women to address gender imbalances and drive national development forward.
Minister Kinteh eloquently stated, “When women do not have their independent source of income, gender imbalances increase.” She underlined the significance of financial independence for women, acknowledging the generations of hard-working mothers and aunties who have toiled in farm fields, gardens, and markets to provide for themselves and their families.
Minister Kinteh emphasized that enabling women access to decent and sustainable jobs is crucial for their empowerment and the country’s country’s overall development.
The government of the Gambia has set ambitious targets in its National Development Plan to create 150,000 new jobs by 2027, with a specific focus on empowering young women under the age of 36.
Minister Kinteh highlighted the role of labor migration programs in achieving this target, emphasizing the importance of structured initiatives that prioritize women’s economic inclusion.
As the forum concluded, Minister Kinteh’s passionate advocacy for women’s economic empowerment resonated with the audience. Her call for gender equality in job creation and financial independence for women serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that empowering women can have on society as a whole.
Kinteh urged all stakeholders to work collectively towards creating a more inclusive and gender-equal economy, where women have equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from the country’s development. Her words serve as a beacon of hope for a future where women in the Gambia are empowered, economically independent, and fully integrated into the fabric of society.
