RC Statement ACHPR Workshop on Advocacy and Planning on Ending Violations of the Rights of Women and Girls in line with Regional Frameworks

Honourable Members of Parliament The Honourable Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Her Excellency the Former Vice President of The Gambia, The Vice-Chairperson and Special Rapporteur for the Rights of Women in Africa, His Excellency the Head of the EU Delegation to The Gambia, Permanent Secretaries, Members of the Ad Hoc Committee, UN Heads of Agencies, Representatives of the Civil Society, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, All Protocols Respectfully Observed Ladies and gentlemen, On behalf of the United Nations country team in The Gambia, I am honoured to provide goodwill remarks during this crucial workshop, dedicated to addressing violations of the rights of women and girls in The Gambia in line with regional and international human rights frameworks. I wish to commend and congratulate the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) for this workshop, a key recommendation of the nationally led Roundtable held in May 2024 on the repeal of the law on FGM. This convening is a testament to our collective commitment to creating a safer, more equitable society where women and girls claim and enjoy their human rights. The United Nations stands squarely with the Government of The Gambia and the ACHPR in ensuring the regional and international standards ratified by Member states of the African Union and the United Nations are not only ratified but fully domesticated and enforced. Ladies and gentlemen, There is a sense of urgency because despite significant progress, the rate of violations of women’s rights in The Gambia and indeed the West and Central Africa region remains high. The region still has the highest global number of girls married before 18 at a rate of 4 in 10. Similarly, 40% of women and girls in West and Central Africa have experienced a form of violence in their lifetime. Women living with disabilities are 10 times more likely to experience violence and women and girls still face countless forms of discrimination, restricting their access to economic autonomy due to harmful social norms and weak laws. The pushback against gender equality and the rise in anti-rights movements pose significant threats to our progress. Despite this, I am optimistic! Our combined efforts, leveraging the standards set by regional mechanisms, expertise of regional and national women’s rights organisations and working in partnership with Government, have the power to bring about meaningful change. The successful upholding of the Women’s (Amendment) Act 2015, further cements the human rights of women and girls by ensuring FGM remains prohibited by the law. It also reaffirms Gambia's commitment to protecting women's rights and adhering to regional and global frameworks, including the Maputo Protocol and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Today’s workshop will take a deeper dive into the soft laws and policies that exist at the level of the ACHPR to support legislators, civil society and members of the Ad Hoc Committee in their efforts to sustain rights of women and girls. Through partnership and initiatives such as the ACT to End Violence Against Women program, with support from the European Union Commission and implemented by UN Women, the UN looks to strengthen the capacity of women’s rights defenders, transform advocacy and build coalitions among all actors. Ladies and Gentlemen, As we move forward, let us draw inspiration from the resilience of women’s rights organisations and the unwavering dedication of advocates and community leaders. Let us strengthen our resolve to ensure that no woman or child in The Gambia lives without full access to their rights. This requires a comprehensive approach, encompassing legal reforms, capacity building, community engagement, and the promotion of alternative rites of passage that respect cultural values while safeguarding human rights. I look forward to our discussions today and the actionable strategies that will emerge. Together, we can build a future where every woman and child can live free from violence, in dignity and peace. Thank you.