By: Abdoulie John
The Gambian government on Friday launched a 76-page compendium of legal instruments aimed at confronting perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV).
The launch took place on the sidelines of the just-concluded SWEDD+ 2026 regional summit, which focused on zero tolerance for gender-based violence. The document specifically addresses the rights of adolescent girls and young women.
Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, Fatou Kinteh, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending crimes against women and girls. She commended the Legal Platform for compiling the essential legal instruments needed to combat GBV effectively.
“The government remains resolute in its determination to protect the rights and dignity of every woman and girl in The Gambia,” Kinteh said.
The compendium was developed through a collaborative digital platform involving the Directorate of Population Affairs, the World Bank, the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Justice.
Solicitor General and Legal Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Hussein Thomasi, described the launch as a major milestone in the ongoing fight against gender-based violence.
“It is a decisive step towards empowering women and girls,” Thomasi stated. “These legal instruments will provide a solid foundation for the protection of adolescent girls and young women.”
Honorable Touma Njie, a member of the National Assembly’s Select Committee on Gender Affairs, used the occasion to highlight recent attempts by some parliamentarians to repeal the country’s anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) legislation. She stressed the urgent need to bridge the gap between existing laws and local realities on the ground.
“This compendium serves as a vital tool for the protection of women and girls,” Njie emphasized. She called for widespread dissemination of the document across the country to ensure its effective implementation at the community level.
The launch comes at a time when global efforts against gender-based violence are beginning to show impact, according to organizers. Stakeholders believe the compendium will serve as a practical reference for law enforcement, judicial officers, civil society organizations, and communities in upholding the rights of adolescent girls and young women.
