Source: Daily Observer
The First Lady of the Republic has outlined the numerous contributions and gains registered by the government of The Gambia under the leadership of President Jammeh in the area of women empowerment, noting that the regime has long since recognised them as an important prerequisite for the attainment of sustainable development.

Her Excellency Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh was speaking Saturday at the Canaan Technical Institute in Brikama where she presided over The Gambia's celebration of the International Women's Day (IWD).

Under the national theme "Pan-African and African renaissance in the context of equality for women progress for all, Saturday's celebration was characterised by a colourful match past by security forces, school children, the National Women's Council as well as public and private sector institutions, women associations and cultural troupes.

For the first time as part of activities for this year's celebrations, a two-day high-level women conference was organised by the government of The Gambia through the Office of the Vice President and Ministry of Women's' Affairs.

In attendance at Saturday's occasion were the vice president and Women's Affairs minister, H.E Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy; the secretary general, head of the Civil Service and minister of Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally; National Assembly members as well as members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps.

First Lady Jammeh, in her remarks, spelt out the significance of the day, which she said, provided the opportunity for women to take stock of the achievements in the empowerment of women and girls, identify the challenges and map out strategies to mitigate them.

She described this year's theme as fitting given that the empowerment of women and girls is an important cornerstone for socio-economic development and progress for all. "In the same vein, Pan Africanism and African Renaissance give an opportunity to reflect on Africa's self-reliance trajectory and the need to demystify and popularise the continent's history and shared values," she said.

In recognising the potential of women's contribution to national development, the First Lady informed that an elaborate institutional, policy and legislative framework has been developed to promote the empowerment of women and girls.

She cited the creation of the Ministry of Women's Affairs, National Women's Council and its secretariat (Women's Bureau), The Gambia Women Federation and other related structures as testimonies to the commitment of the government in the empowerment of Gambian women.

President Jammeh's government, she went on, has created many initiatives and support mechanisms which include the provision of farm implements, inputs and other support services to women in agriculture, scholarship schemes for girls as well as Operation Save a Baby and free maternal health care for expecting mothers, among others.

"As part of our self-reliance strategy and reducing dependency on foreign food items, government is highly committed to ensuring that by 2016, no rice will be imported into the country which is also in line with the vision and philosophy of President Jammeh's "Grow what you eat and eat what you grow' initiative".

Without an iota of doubt, she said the initiative has great potential for The Gambia, which will enable the people to eat home grown food, create additional employment and conserve foreign exchange among others.

Madam Jammeh called on Gambians, particularly women and young people to work diligently for the realisation of the Vision 2016 objectives. She hailed President Jammeh and his entire government and the vice president for the immense support directed to the empowerment and development of Gambia women. She also commended the National Women Council and all its structures and all those who have contributed to making the celebration a success.

The governor of West Coast Region, Aminata Siffai Hydara, opined that for Africa's development to be realised, women must take the lead and their voices must be heard. She commended the Gambian leader for the empowerment she has given to Gambian women, making reference to her personal appointment as the country's first female governor. "Women are participating in all spheres of development and we will continue to renew our commitment to that effect," she concluded.

The national women mobiliser of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), Isatou Jiffanga Jarju, said the day is set aside by the UN for women to celebrate their achievements as well as examine their challenges. She hailed the Jammeh government for putting women empowerment at the core of its development agenda.

The deputy speaker of the National Assembly and chairperson of the National Women Council, Hon. Fatou Mbaye, said the policies for women and girls are not only relevant to personal development, but also to national development. She said The Gambia under President Jammeh has facilitated more women participation in decision-making, noting that the government continues to be committed to their advancement.

The paramount chief of The Gambia, Alhaji Demba Sanyang and the West Coast Region National Women Council focal person, Aja Ousman Jallow both thanked the Gambian leader for appointing the first female governor in The Gambia.

• Gambia