SWEDD+ FIRST LADIES UNITE IN BANJUL TO ADVANCE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Banjul, Republic of The Gambia – 10 April 2026

SWEDD+ First Ladies convened in Banjul on 10 April 2026 under the theme of “Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence”, marking a significant milestone in advancing collective regional action to protect and empower women and girls. Held within the framework of the Sub-Saharan Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus (SWEDD+) initiative, The Forum brought together high-level political leadership and development partners to accelerate progress on one of the region’s most pressing challenges.

The Forum is co-organised by the Government of The Gambia and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in close collaboration with key partners including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and SWEDD+ countries

The opening ceremony was graced by Her Excellency Fatoumata Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia, and Her Excellency Mrs. Marie Koné Faye, First Lady of Senegal while other First Ladies from SWEDD+ countries and Cameroon where represented. Also in attendance were H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Hon. Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, senior representatives of the World Bank and UNFPA, as well as ministers from The Gambia, the Central African Republic and SWEDD+ Countries, technical experts, representatives of the African Union and other regional institutions. Their presence underscored the strong political will and strategic partnerships driving the SWEDD+ agenda.

The opening remarks were delivered by His Excellency Mr. Mohamed B.S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, representing His Excellency Adama Barrow, the President of the Republic of The Gambia. In his address, he reaffirmed his country’s strong commitment to tackling gender-based violence (GBV).

Delivering the keynote address at this high-level event, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission stated: “At ECOWAS, we are proud to play a central role in this effort. Through our institutions, including the Department of Human Development and Social Affairs and the West African Health Organisation, we support Member States in strengthening institutional responses, harmonising legal frameworks, and translating commitments into tangible impact for our citizens.”

The Forum built on the outcomes of the Ministerial Meeting held on 9 April 2026 and a preceding Experts’ Meeting, which together provided a comprehensive assessment of gender-based violence (GBV) across the region. These discussions highlighted both progress and persistent gaps in prevention, legal enforcement, service delivery, and coordination. Despite the existence of regional frameworks and national policies, implementation challenges continue to limit impact, while millions of women and girls remain exposed to violence, harmful practices, and systemic inequalities.

Against this backdrop, the SWEDD+ initiative was recognised as a critical platform for scaling up integrated, evidence-based interventions that address both the structural drivers and the immediate consequences of GBV. Participants emphasised that tackling gender-based violence is inseparable from broader development objectives, including improved health outcomes, expanded economic opportunities, and the realization of the demographic dividend.

Deliberations during the Forum focused on translating regional commitments into actionable and measurable results. The First Ladies were briefed on key deliverables endorsed by Ministers, including the Regional GBV Roadmap (2026–2028), which provides a strategic framework for coordinated action across countries, and the Regional GBV Legal Scorecard, designed to strengthen accountability by tracking progress in the implementation of legal and policy commitments. The final Ministerial Communiqué further reinforced the urgency of accelerating implementation through strengthened institutions, improved coordination, and sustained political engagement.

A defining moment of the Forum was the ceremonial adoption and signing of the Joint Declaration on Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence by the First Ladies. This declaration reflects a unified commitment to champion the rights of women and girls at the highest levels of leadership and to use their influence to drive transformative change across societies.

Throughout the discussions, a strong emphasis was placed on moving from commitments to impact. Participants underscored the importance of investing in prevention, strengthening access to justice and survivor-centred services, and addressing deeply rooted social norms that perpetuate violence. The need for robust monitoring systems and reliable data was also highlighted as essential for informing policy decisions and ensuring accountability.

The Forum further recognized the importance of regional coordination mechanisms, including the role of ECOWAS and its specialized institutions, in supporting Member States to align efforts, share knowledge, and sustain momentum. The establishment of the Regional Technical Working Group on GBV was welcomed as a practical step toward enhancing collaboration and ensuring effective follow-up on agreed priorities.

First Ladies called for strengthened partnerships with governments, development partners, civil society, and communities to mobilize the resources and expertise required to implement the Roadmap effectively. Particular attention was given to the importance of engaging men and boys, empowering adolescents, and amplifying community-level interventions to shift social norms and break the cycle of violence.

The Banjul Forum concluded with a renewed sense of urgency and collective responsibility. Participants reaffirmed that eliminating gender-based violence is not only a fundamental human rights obligation but also a critical investment in the region’s future. By aligning political leadership, technical expertise, and financial resources, the SWEDD+ platform offers a unique opportunity to deliver tangible and lasting results.

The First Ladies committed to sustaining high-level advocacy and ensuring that the outcomes of the Forum translate into concrete actions at national and regional levels. Their unified message was clear: achieving zero tolerance for gender-based violence requires decisive leadership, sustained investment, and unwavering commitment—starting now.