WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP TRAINING WORKSHOP IN THE GAMBIA

In a bid to encourage women to take up leadership roles, participate effectively in politics and desist from been mere cheer leaders, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare in collaboration with Women’s Bureau organised a three-day Capacity Building Workshop on Leadership and Women Participation in Politics. More than 50 women leaders involved in key decision-making including women councillors, National Assembly members and local traditional rulers were targeted for the training from the 2nd to 4th July 2019. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this leadership conference is to enhance capacity of women in leadership positions so as to ameliorate their participation and representation in decision making positions. This will include:- • Sharing of national and regional perspectives on women in leadership • Learn best practices to be institutionalised in country • Raise the level of constitutional and political awareness of women so that they can take up their rightful positions in the national development process. • The inculcation of leadership skills are deemed helpful in mobilising and encouraging youths and women to engage in meaningful developmental politics and maximise their potentials. In attendance at the opening ceremony was the Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, Hon Fatou Kinteh. In her remarks, the Minister reflected on the past achievements of women involved in decision making noting that once women are educated and empowered, they can take up lead roles in the development process of any country. She therefore encouraged support for women to take up leadership roles and involvement in politics. She urged all to ensure that women are fully supported to enhance economic development, women leadership in politics and education. The training was attended by a total of (45) women leaders, in which three were selected from each of the 5 regions, 30 from the WCR Kombo, KMC and Banjul participated in this training. A resource person from UNWomen Regional Office for West and Central Africa conducted the training.