The Gambia’s vice president and minister for Women’s Affairs Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy Wednesday assured that The Gambia government will continue to honour its commitment to regional and sub-regional treaties and charters.

These, she said, include, Dakar and Beijing Platforms of Actions, the AU Assembly Decisions on Gender and Equality and Women’s Empowerment, the Millennium Development Goals, the Programme of Action of the International Conference for the Elimination of all Forms Discrimination Against Women, and the AU Protocol on Women.

The Gambia’s first female vice president was speaking at official opening ceremony of the The Gambia Women’s Federation Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) chapter at a ceremony held at Serrekunda West Mini-Stadium.

The launching follows the national launching in November 27, and a continuation of the vice president’s ongoing nationwide tour launching regional chapters.

She described the occasion as a victory for Gambian women who have never failed to respond to the president’s call for support and have always been at the forefront of national development since the advent of the July 22nd Revolution 16 years ago.

"I recall with pleasure that the idea of a federation of Gambian women was first muted in 2006 during the Silver Jubilee of the National Women Council," she said.

According to her, Gambian women have never taken a back seat in any national development endeavour.

"As a government, we have put in place legislated policies and strategies in support of the empowerment of women and the girl child in an environment of equity, fair play, and justice," she stated, assuring that government will always live to see it to that the rights and freedoms of all women in the country and their protection against all forms of abuse and marginalisation are guaranteed without fail.

These, she added includes the right to equal access to work, national resources, as well as participation in national decision-making processes.

Speaking earlier, Hon. Sulayman Joof, the National Assembly member for Serrekunda West told the gathering that the National Assembly members recognised the critical role of women in the development of the country, and assured them of their total support at all times.

Yankuba Colley, the mayor of KMC said his municipality has a great role to play in ensuring that the Federation is successful. He assured of his support to the women at all times, noting that the Federation is meant to empower the women of this country.

He said women have been empowered under the leadership of President Jammeh, and urged them to rally behind him. He then thanked the vice president for the regional launchings.

Ramou Cole-Ceesay, permanent secretary No.2, Office of the Vice President on behalf of the president presented D7, 000 to the KMC Women Federation chapter to open their bank account, D3, 000 to the council of elders, D2, 000 to the civil servants, D2, 000 to the security services, and D2, 000 to the youths.