ISO: GMB *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN - BEIJING, 4 - 15 SEPTEMBER, 1995, SPEECH DELIVERED BY MRS. TUTI FAAL-JAMMEH, FIRST LADY OF THE GAMBIA MADAM CHAIRPERSON, DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, It has been a long Match from Nairobi in 1985 to Dakar in 1994 and now to Beijing the host of the United Nation's Fourth World Conference on Women. For such a great advancement of the cause of women, I take this opportunity to express the sincere gratitude of the Government of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Nations, and in particular, the Conference Secretariat for all the efforts expended in the preparation of this Conference. Madam Chairperson, On behalf of the entire Gambian delegation and people, I also wish to thank the Government of the people's Republic of China for the hospitality accorded us since our arrival in Beijing . I salute Mrs. Gertrude Mongella and her entire team for their hard work and effective contribution for the success of this conference. Behind every successful organisation and event, there is a woman and as such, the contribution of Mrs. Mongella in the success of this August Conference will not be forgotten. Madam Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates, The Republic of the Gambia with slightly over a million people has taken great strides towards the advancement of the Gambian women. This goes as far back to the pre-independence era and in the 1970s when women did not hold any important public office.- This also holds for 1982 when we had the first ever elected parliamentarian and in 1985 when the first female Cabinet Minister was appointed. At this moment, there has been marked improvement in the status of women at the public sector level. Government has established a National Women's Council and Bureau under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and Women's Affairs. This National Machinery is responsible for advising the government on the problems and concerns of women. In addition, a six year multi-sectoral and multi-donor funded Women in Development Project has been put in place. This project is aimed at improving the status of women through the provision of resources to sectoral agencies and improvement of skills among other activities. Since the change of government on the 22nd July, 1994, the present government has appointed women to key public positions. For example, there are four female Ministers out of a total of fourteen. In addition to the appointment of three female Permanent Secretaries ranked high in the public service, Gambian women have also become Heads of Department, Prominent members of commissions, Councils, Boards and Village Development Committees. In spite of these recent achievements, Madam Chairperson, women in the Gambia still have a long way towards their total liberation and freedom just like our sisters in other African Countries. Despite the fact that women's triple roles are production, reproduction and community management, they are still disadvantaged in both social and economic terms such as access to credit, land, appropriate technology, education and health. It is also a concern that women in this predominantly agricultural country who largely till the land do not have adequate access to land and other productive resources. Madam Chairperson, cultural factors relating to religious misconception and traditional beliefs, early marriage and teenage pregnancy are also a great hindrance to women's social progress in The Gambia. The issue of global peace is a concern of the Gambian women as well. No one is free until every one else is free. Peace is a collaborative effort and should be pursued, especially, in our sub-region. Madam Chairperson, I equally hope that the Gambia will continue to have the international support and co-operation of its development partners. Programmes and projects to address the constraints of women calls for inputs of the entire community and development partners. These goes for women all over the world. Women in the Gambia have their indigenous technical knowledge, but they lack financial and material resources to achieve their goals. I therefore invite our development partners to review their policies in order to adequately address the needs of women. The Government of The Gambia for its part and in close collaboration with NGOs and development partners has undertaken the following concrete commitments for the advancement of women, namely: Formulation of a National Policy on Women Review of the National Women's Council Act of 1980 —Review the Agricultural Policy, particularly its extension service component to make it gender sensitive. Increase women's access to agriculture and the Informal Sector. Continue to review health and education programmes and services to meet the changing needs of women. —Tackle violence against women within CEDAW. Madam Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates, The Women of The Gambia together with those of the rest of the world are committed and convinced that some day, we will in the words of Martin Luther King Junior say "Free At Last". I hope that when we meet again to evaluate the decade just beginning, women would have made a remarkable advance that each nation will report on with delight and pride. ALLUTTA CONTINUA I thank you for your attention.