The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Jakong Jabbi
6 November 2009
In preparation for the forthcoming Beijing +15 Africa review meeting in Banjul, the civil society organisations (CSOs)The Gambia under the auspices of Tango, have produced an NGO shadow report on the 12 critical area of the Beijing platform for action. This was held on Wednesday at the Tango building in Bakau.
The NGO shadow report is an essential component of the Beijing + 15 review process and a major tool for analysis and advocacy which provides direction in consolidating and strengthening women's rights and empowerment within the framework of the Beijing platform for action.
Furthermore the report also serves as a validation of the work of not only NGO's but also of the government in the gains registered by and or women over the past 15 years and the challenges encountered in charting a way forward.
10 years ago, NGOs in The Gambia issued a statement, "NGO position on Beijing 1995 preparations" in which we stated that, "Gambian NGO's are also going to Beijing to witness the government make a further commitment to the advancement of Gambian women through the adoption of the global platform of action having witnessed this commitment on behalf of the Gambia's women and children, the NGOs, the representatives of civil society would use their lobby groups and other strategies to ensure that what the government endorsed on paper in Beijing.
In the post- Beijing is put into practice after Beijing. In the post-Beijing process, we see a critical role of NGOs primarily in translating and informing the communities NGOs work with about the platform for action, and secondly, working the government to bring about the necessary actions."
The review shows many strides that have been gained over the past 15 years and since the last review in 2004. In the areas of health, education and agriculture as well as in legislature and resource allocation, we see remarkable improvements done by both the communities. Achievements have also been registered in the areas of women in decision making and management positions, creation an adoption of local laws and international instruments, all of which aimed at protecting the woman and child such as CEDAW to which The Gambia is fully committed.
However there also remains in our statutory laws that pose challenges for women such as in the areas of inheritance, marriage and access to land and credit. There has been no legislation also protecting girls from harmful traditional practices or women from domestic violence, while women continue to be at the bottom of the poverty ladder. These are indications therefore that need serious consideration by both the government and NGOs in giving substance to the theme," from commitment to action", so that in the next five years, Beijing + 20 would spell to more favorable story for our women and girls.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Madi Jobarteh, expressed delight on the document they are going to validate on. He welcome all the participants fully on the validation of the NGO report. For his part, Ousman Yabo of Tango, thanked all the participants for coming and also the consultants and all the institution for their contribution to the report.
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