The Women's Bureau recently held a day's regional consultative workshop for the formulation of a gender policy in Janjangbureh, CRR, sponsored by the European Commission in collaboration with CSIP.

In his welcoming remarks, the deputy governor of the region, Lamin Darboe, said the National Policy on Gender was formulated by the government of The Gambia in 1999 for the advancement of Gambian women.  He pointed out that 65% of Gambian  household food security is produced by women. He thanked the European Commission and CSIP for sponsoring such an important workshop.

In her opening statement, the executive director of the Women's Bureau, Ida Fye-Hydara, said the objective of the consultation was for stakeholders to participate in the formulation of the Gender Policy 2009 to 2019.  She called for active participation in the formulation of the gender policy, noting that the 1999 policy mainly focuses on the advancement of women but according to her, the 2009-2019 policy will focus on both the needs of women and men.

The Seyfo of Janjangbureh Bakary Jam Jawo thanked the organizers and those who sponsored the consultation workshop.  He further spoke at length on the important role women play in society.