On June 2, 2014, following the Women Advancement Forum in Banjul, The Gambia launched its first National Action Plan. The development of the National action Plan involved reviewing existing literature on UNSCR 1325, The Gambia’s National Gender and Women’s Empowerment Policy 2010-2020, other laws, conventions, bills and policies that affect the rights of women and girls internationally and nationally. The Gambia National Action Plan focuses on the three main pillars as outlined by the UNSCR. However, the issue of promotion and awareness-raising concerning the overall popularization of the action plan is also embedded within the 3Ps. The requisite articles of UNSCR 1325 have been delineated under each pillar for which strategic issues, key focused areas, outcomes, and performance indicators were developed to enable the government of The Gambia to implement to attain the goals on gender mainstreaming and greater participation of women in building a sustainable peace for the general populace, particularly women and girls.
In its reporting for Beijing+25/CSW64, the Gambia indicated that it will develop a second NAP (pg. 27). The priorities for this NAP will be:
- Sensitization on and popularization of women’s human rights and promotion of peace, including UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions targeting decision makers; various sectors; women and men at all levels; educational and academic institutions as well as opinion, religious and traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to appreciate gender equality and to know what provisions are available;
- Capacity strengthening of partner organisations on gender, women, peace and security to systematically build the foundation of the ripple down effect need to reach a broader constituency of the population and to enhance strategic partnerships;
- Strengthening the early warning mechanism to avoid internal conflict;
- Implement the recommendations of research directed at enhancing participation and
representation of women; - Exchange visits with neighbouring countries to enhance partnerships, learning and
sharing on good practices.