The director of Social Welfare, Fanta Bai Secka through an invitation from Honourable Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State and the presidents of Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Smith and Wellesley Colleges through the US embassy in Banjul yesterday left for the US to attend the launch of the Women in Public Service Project and Colloquium in the said country. The event is expected to be held today at the US Department of State in Washington.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer shortly before her departure, ?Madam Secka said the launch of the Women in Public Service Project and Colloquium would be followed by a VIP luncheon and working group sessions. She explained that there will be two working groups and the theme of working group one will be education for public service and leadership, whilst the theme for the second working group is reaching 50% by 2050.

She expressed delight at the invitation to attend such a high profile meeting, adding that The Gambia government has registered tremendous achievements in the area of women empowerment especially in the public service. She made reference to women occupying key positions in the civil service.

She pointed out that The Gambia has almost reached the 2050 target of the meeting because many women have been appointed in key government positions, " a clear manifestation of the commitment of the government, compared to other countries that have not yet reached the target for 2050, which is among the goals of the meeting".

The Social Welfare director informed that there would be lectures during the course of the forum and will be focusing on the following: skills for public service career, global diversity, career long leadership development and effectiveness, public service versus politics, networking and mentorship, promoting public services career, barriers to entry, funding to reach goal for 2050, government outreach and public awareness.

She thanked President Jammeh for always championing the course of Gambian women in both the public service and the private sector.