ECOWAS Gender Centre, in collaboration with Women’s Bureau, organised a three-day workshop on gender mainstreaming (3 - 5 May 2007) at the National Nutrition Agency.

The objective of the workshop was to build the capacity of the participants to understand the concept of gender and related issues and assist with the achievement of gender equity in The Gambia through gender mainstreaming and empowerment initiatives.

The workshop discussed an ECOWAS gender development manual which is based on several components ranging from gender concept, to gender mainstreaming, gender HIV/AIDS and gender related instruments and convention.

The brain behind the manual is Mrs Adelaide Sosseh, trainer and consultant at the workshop.

In her introductory remarks on the occasion, Mrs Aminata Dibba, acting director of ECOWAS Gender Development, said peace, security and justice for all and sundry in the region must be ensured.

“The growing levels of poverty in the region have over the years been translated into the feminization of poverty,” she added.

Fatou Jasseh Kuyateh, Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Vice-President, said the term gender has now transcended its original meaning.  Gender, she added, encompassed the socially defined roles, attitudes and values which communities and societies consider as appropriate for one sex or the other.

Mrs Kassa Sanneh of the National Women’s Bureau delivered the vote of thanks.