UN official urges women to push for gender equality
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The UN resident coordinator in The Gambia has tasked women to push for gender equality in order to make the goal a reality this decade.
Mrs Seraphine Wakana was speaking in Banjul on Sunday at the cerebration marking International Women’s Day, which this year is under the theme, “I am generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights.”
“I challenge all women on this International Women’s Day, to join generation equality and contribute in the various platform you serve, professional and personal, to push the fight for gender equality,” she said.
She said Gambia has been implementing various processes and programmes to advance gender equality and women’s rights. Enrolment of girls at Primary and Upper Basic schools has increased, nutrition sensitive intervention has enhanced the academic performance of girls while female genital mutilation in the younger generation (0-14 years) has declined.
Mrs Wakana said 2020 marks the beginning of accelerated efforts towards achieving gender equality in the country and the beginning of the decade of action for accelerated partnerships with government, civil society and individuals to ensure that voices of women are not just heard but amplified in decision making.
“We call this year ‘Generation Equality’ because we are mobilising to advocate for women’s rights with the leadership of civil society and other stakeholders and to mark 25 years of implementing the Beijing platform for action.”
She also said concerted efforts are needed to bring women to the table, to allow women to speak up against all discrimination and stigma they face.
-0- PANA MSS/MA 9March2020
