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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Nov 2010 : 23:59:32
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His Excellency President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh presided over the launching of the Federation of Gambian Women on Saturday at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. The theme was "Grassroots Approach to Gender Equality and Women Empowerment."
In his remarks President Jammeh said the day was an auspicious occasion marking the official launch of the Federation of Gambian Women. He also said it is indeed a milestone in the history of The Gambia.
Jammeh also congratulated the women, government partners and collaborators for been so instrumental and supportive to The Gambia government on all matters affecting the empowerment of women in the country.
In commending Gambian women, President Jammeh said "let me also mention that today's occasion represents a victory for Gambian women who have never failed to respond to my call for support and have always been at the forefront of national development since the advent of the July 22 nd Revolution, 16 years ago."
He also recalled that the idea of a federation of Gambian women was first muted in 2006 during the Silver Jubilee of the National Women's Council. He further said it was known to him that the federation is to strengthen collaboration, network and partnership between and amongst women organizations across the length and breadth of the country and for the coordination of gender responses with the women's bureau. "Four years on," he said, "we are gathered here to launch the federation in a very grand and colourful fashion."
The President hailed Gambian women for never taking a back seat in any national development endeavour and the day's occasion was another demonstration of this reality. He also conveyed his sincere appreciation and congratulated the women for their patriotism, honesty, hard work and loyalty for the past 16 years.
"Government has put in place legislated polices and strategies in support of the empowerment of women and the girl-child in an environment of equity, fair play and justice," President Jammeh further said. He added that his government will always live to see to it that the rights and freedoms of all women in this country and their protection against all forms of abuse and marginalization are guaranteed without fail as enshrined in our national development constitution.
He further said women are granted equal opportunities to occupy key decision-making positions in his government. He cited his adage "the sky is the limit" and described the education of a girl-child as the education of a whole community. He also expressed satisfaction with the reduction of illiteracy levels with the provision of functional skills and literacy facilities.
In the health sector, President Jammeh noted the advancements achieved in providing health facilities in all parts of the country and said "the most challenging area is achieving significant reduction targets in maternal and child mortality as well as morbidity rates." He said government is seriously tackling the challenge in order to significantly reduce their incidence. "The policy to eliminate maternal fee charges in all public hospitals and health centres would continue," the president emphasized. He also stated that in addition to prioritising allocation of resources in the health sector so that in line with Vision 2020, Gambians would live longer and healthier lives.
"My government will also honour its commitment to regional and sub-regional treaties, charters and decisions on gender equality and women empowerment," President Jammeh reiterated. He said all these are geared towards gender empowerment in all aspects of socio-economic development particularly entrepreneurship and the promotion of agriculture and food security.
"In this way," President Jammeh said, "The Gambia will earn the respect of being among the first to translate the AU Women's Decade (2010-2020) from being merely a declaration into a decade of fulfilled hopes and opportunities for every woman." He also reaffirmed government's commitment to strengthening the federation and implementation of the African Union Decade for Women.
He concluded by congratulating Gambia women for their loyalty and steadfastness and for taking giant strides in coming together under one umbrella as part of the women empowerment process.
Speaking earlier, the chairperson of the National Women's Council, Ajaratou Fatou Mbye welcomed President Jammeh, chief patron and initiator who conceived the idea of establishing a women's federation during the women leaders' forum under the leadership of Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice President and Minister of Women Affairs.
She assured His Excellency of their continuous commitment and dedication to the advancement of women and girls. She also said the women's council is charged with responsibility of providing policy directives, advising government on all matters affecting women and ensuring that their interests are protected at all levels.
She further said that the federation will provide a very strong foundation for women's sustained participation in nation building.
Chairman Ajaratou Fatou Mbye further explained that key strategies of the enacted Women's Act 2010 such as improved legal and policy environment for women, the setting up of a national women's federation, establishment of women's multi-purpose market complex, provision of milling machines to 25 communities, supporting 25 gardens with basic farming materials, provide residential plots to 25 women and the rehabilitation of the maternity ward at the RVTH.
She informed His Excellency that the Women's Bureau conducted a feasibility study with the objective to ascertain the viability of the proposed multi-purpose market complex project.
"The complex," Ajaratou Mbye said "will have food market units, restaurants, supermarket, a women's finance company, day care centre, clinic, conference facilities, skills training centre, administrative block, multi media office, storage and processing facilities, trade fair grounds and a car park." She said the total cost is D280 million which will be raised through grants and other bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors as per business plan.
The federation's main goal is to provide a platform of women's effective participation in national development through institutional strengthening, improved communication and partnership amongst women groups within the country.
By Aji Fatou Jammeh
source: www.statehouse.gm
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