By: Fatou Krubally
The National Assembly on Tuesday ratified the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG), strengthening The Gambia’s legal and institutional framework for the protection of women and girls.
The convention was ratified during the Second Ordinary Session of the National Assembly for the 2026 Legislative Year following a motion tabled by the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Fatou Kinteh.
Presenting the motion, Kinteh said The Gambia signed the convention in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 11 July 2025 and formally acceded to it after cabinet approval on 8 January 2026.
She described the convention as a comprehensive and legally binding African Union instrument aimed at preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls across the continent.
According to the minister, the convention provides a coordinated framework for addressing the root causes of violence, strengthening legal and institutional mechanisms, and promoting human rights, gender equality and human dignity.
Kinteh told lawmakers that violence against women and girls remains widespread and manifests in various forms, including domestic and sexual violence, female genital mutilation, child and forced marriage, workplace harassment, and abuse in schools, public spaces and online platforms.
She said such abuses are often driven by entrenched gender inequalities, unequal power relations and harmful social norms.
“Addressing this issue is not just about protection; it is about unlocking opportunities for women and girls to thrive in safe and supportive environments where their contributions to society can be fully realized,” she said.
The minister highlighted existing national legislation, including the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Offences Act, Children’s Act and laws banning female genital mutilation, as evidence of the country’s commitment to protecting women and children.
She said ratification of the convention would complement these measures by strengthening institutions, improving access to justice and protection for survivors, and promoting coordinated prevention strategies.
The convention recognizes the right of every woman and girl to live free from violence and obliges member states to enact and enforce laws against all forms of abuse in both public and private spheres, including cyberspace.
It also calls for victim-centred responses, stronger justice systems, enhanced support services for survivors and closer collaboration among governments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
With the ratification, The Gambia joins other African countries supporting a continental framework aimed at ending violence against women and girls and advancing gender equality across Africa.