Policies to support Gender Equality

The Policies are:

* Gender and Women Empowerment Policy 2010-2020 (is designed to equally and equitably address women and men concerns through mainstreaming gender in all policies, programmes and projects including in the creative and artistic sectors.)

* Women's Act 2010 (this was enacted in 2010 and incorporates and gives effect to the provisions of international legal instruments which empower women and protect their rights including right to participation in cultural and artistic life.)

* UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (this is an international legal instrument that the Gambia has ratified, that requires the Gambia to eliminate discrimination against women in all areas, and promote women's equal rights)

The Gender Policy of the Gambia was developed as an integral part of the national development objectives to enhance the overall government strategy of growth through poverty eradication. Gender being a crosscutting issue, the policy is developed along six thematic areas embracing the government's priority development concerns. It specifically covers the priority gender issues that must be mainstreamed in development policies and programmes. This is to address the existing gender imbalances and ensure sustained and sustainable socio-economic development. The themes covered under the policy are:

The policy is designed to equally and equitably address women and men concerns through mainstreaming gender in all policies, programmes and projects including in the creative and artistic sectors.)

The policy also encourages participation in bridging the gender gap so as to integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks.

* During the implementation period of the NPAGW 1999-2009, the Government of the Gambia in the past four years adopted both Women in Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD) Strategies as a guide to addressing women's concerns and gender issues. During this period, the National Policy for the Advancement of Gambian Women was the guiding document.

* The Gambia Government enacted the National Policy for the Advancement of Gambian Women (NPAGW) in 1999. The policy provides a legitimate point of reference for addressing gender inequalities at all levels of government and by all stakeholders.

* The major achievement of the policy includes among others, increased awareness on gender as a development concern, increase enrolment and retention of girls in schools, improved health care delivery, increase women participating in decision making, and reduction in gender stereotyping and discrimination.

* Maximizing women's participation in the creative sector through creation and sustenance of the right environment;

* Build the capacity of women in media and creative sectors as participants, managers and decision makers;

* Offer financial support for entrepreneurship of young women in the creative arts and media

* encourage community engagement on gender equity issues. Showcase history and culture of The Gambia.