By: Fatou Krubally
In a powerful show of solidarity, UN Women’s Deputy Executive Director, Mrs. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, praised The Gambia for its unwavering commitment to eliminating female genital mutilation (FGM) during a bilateral meeting with Hon. Fatou Kinteh, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
The meeting, held on the heels of the 69th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York, focused on advancing women’s rights in The Gambia, with particular attention to the country’s progress in addressing FGM.
Mrs. Gumbonzvanda expressed gratitude to Minister Kinteh for The Gambia’s critical role in launching the campaign to end child marriage and reaffirmed UN Women’s commitment to supporting The Gambia through its post-CSW efforts.
She commended The Gambia for its proactive stance on FGM, recognizing the collaborative efforts between the government, civil society organizations, and faith-based groups. Mrs. Gumbonzvanda also highlighted the significance of Gambia’s efforts to safeguard the rights of women and girls, noting the importance of the country’s political will in tackling FGM.
“The Banjul Charter stands as a testament to the Gambia’s commitment to human rights,” she remarked.
Minister Kinteh, for her part, reiterated the Gambia’s dedication to combating FGM, emphasizing that the government had invested heavily in the issue, including the establishment of the National Steering Committee (NSC) to guide the implementation of the anti-FGM law. She underscored that the country’s approach to the issue was both strategic and effective, with President Adama Barrow’s leadership playing a pivotal role in strengthening political will and fostering national collaboration.
Both parties agreed on the need for continued cooperation to combat FGM and protect the rights of women and girls.
Minister Kinteh also called for a stronger UN Women presence in The Gambia, expressing hope that this would further enhance the country’s efforts in advancing gender equality and social justice.
With a renewed commitment from both the government and UN Women, The Gambia remains poised to be a beacon of progress in the fight against FGM and a global model for protecting women’s rights.