First Ladies Endorse Regional Action Plan to Combat Gender-Based Violence at Banjul Summit

First Ladies from countries under the Sub-Saharan Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus (SWEDD+) initiative have convened in Banjul, The Gambia, to strengthen regional efforts toward eliminating gender-based violence (GBV).
The high-level forum, themed “Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence,” brought together political leaders, development partners, and regional institutions to intensify action against one of the region’s most persistent challenges affecting women and girls.
Co-hosted by the Government of The Gambia and the Economic Community of West African States, the meeting was supported by key partners including the United Nations Population Fund, World Bank, and the Economic Community of Central African States.
The event was attended by prominent figures including The Gambia’s First Lady, Fatoumata Bah-Barrow, and Senegal’s First Lady, Marie Koné Faye, alongside other First Ladies, ministers, and representatives from regional and international organisations.
Delivering remarks on behalf of President Adama Barrow, Vice President Mohamed B. S. Jallow reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combating GBV.
In his keynote address, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, highlighted the bloc’s role in supporting member states through policy alignment, institutional strengthening, and implementation of legal frameworks.
Discussions at the forum built on outcomes from earlier ministerial and expert meetings, which assessed progress and identified gaps in prevention, legal enforcement, and survivor support systems. Participants noted that despite existing frameworks, implementation challenges continue to expose millions of women and girls to violence and inequality.
A key outcome of the gathering was the adoption and signing of a Joint Declaration by the First Ladies, committing to champion zero tolerance for GBV and drive reforms at national and regional levels.
The forum also endorsed critical tools, including a Regional GBV Roadmap (2026–2028) and a Legal Scorecard to enhance accountability and track progress across countries.
Stakeholders stressed the need for stronger investments in prevention, improved access to justice, and efforts to address harmful social norms. They also called for increased collaboration with civil society, communities, and development partners, as well as greater engagement of men and boys in tackling GBV.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to translate policy into action, with participants emphasising that ending gender-based violence is both a human rights imperative and essential for sustainable development in the region.