By: Lamin B. Darboe
A high-level forum dedicated to advancing Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across West and Central Africa has kicked off in the Gambia.
The forum that brings together first ladies from African region and runs through April 8th to 10th is being convened under the auspices of the First Lady of the Gambia, Madam Fatoumatta Bah Barrow.
The forum is co-organized by the Government of The Gambia and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in close collaboration with key partners including UNFPA, the World Bank, ECCAS, and SWEDD+ countries.
“This co-leadership underscores the growing recognition that ending GBV requires not only national commitment, but strong and coordinated regional action,” a statement from ECOWAS highlighted.
“At a time when violence against women and girls continues to undermine human rights, public health, and development outcomes, the Banjul Forum represents more than a convening—it is a decisive step toward aligning political leadership, regional institutions, and community action behind a shared agenda.”
According to ECOWAS, across West and Central Africa, millions of women and girls continue to face violence in its many forms, from domestic abuse and sexual violence to harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
“Addressing these challenges requires sustained leadership at the highest levels—leadership that the First Ladies of SWEDD+ countries have increasingly embodied by championing reforms and mobilizing national and regional attention,” the ECOWAS statement noted.
It says that the forum builds on the momentum of the SWEDD+ initiative, a $365 million World Bank-supported regional program implemented across The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, and Togo. Through its integrated approach, SWEDD+ seeks to strengthen legal frameworks, expand access to essential services for survivors, and promote positive social norms that protect and empower women and girls.
“At the heart of this effort is ECOWAS, whose role extends far beyond that of a partner to that of a central driving force. As co-organizer of the Forum, ECOWAS is providing strategic leadership, ensuring that the outcomes of the meeting are anchored in regional priorities and translated into coordinated actions across member states,” the statement highlighted.
Through its specialized institutions and Agencies—including the Department of Human Development and Social Affairs (DHDSA), ECOWAS Gender Development Center and the West African Health Organization (WAHO)—ECOWAS plays a pivotal role in shaping policy dialogue, strengthening institutional responses, and supporting the harmonization of legal frameworks on GBV across the region.
“As Banjul hosts this historic gathering, the message is unmistakable: ending gender-based violence requires unity of purpose, strength of leadership, and sustained regional coordination,” the statement emphasized.
