In The Gambia, women represent more than half of the population (50.5%). Women also comprise a majority of all Gambian registered voters by about 58%. Despite this, the political arena in the country is largely dominated by men. The barriers to women’s equal participation in politics are structural, socio-cultural, and institutional. WFD in The Gambia worked on a project to strengthen women leadership by supporting women leaders navigate the challenges they face and bring about more inclusive democracy. Through the project, which was in partnership with the Community of Democracies (CoD), participants become more emboldened and focused on their career as political leaders. Several of them got elected in their party executives and other structures. The training further served to enhance better relationships across parties and to remove most of the misconceptions and unhealthy rivalry these participants share.

Strong and democratic institutions promote transparency, inclusion, and public participation. Though the FCDO-funded Inclusive and Accountable Politics (IAP) programme, WFD in The Gambia worked to strengthen the internal capability of the National Assembly of the Gambia as well as bringing public awareness to its work. This was through three major streams of activities. First, by supporting the operations of the Inter-Departmental Research and Information Group (IDRIG) – which serves to bring about effective coordination, strengthen communications, and provide guidance and monitor performance and delivery of the National Assembly. Second, working with the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) to promote opportunities for public involvement in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of the budget process. And third, through supporting the Petitions Committee of the National Assembly to provide redress to citizens’ grievances.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Gambia embarked on measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus. This included the imposition of restrictions on movement, gatherings and businesses thereby affecting the way of life and livelihoods of people. The Government also provided food relief to the population. Funded by the British High Commission, WFD assessed how the measures imposed impacted women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) and to learn lessons for future emergencies. It was found out that these marginalised groups were not fully consulted in the decision-making processes, enforcement of measures and distribution of food relief. The conversations also involved law and policy makers and public officials at both central and local levels, CSOs as well law enforcement agencies. The project succeeded in bringing to the fore the issue of inclusion and diversity and made public institutions realise the impact of their decisions and actions and how these can go to affect lives. The project created a realisation and commitment expressed by public officials that in future adequate consideration will be provided to all sectors of society especially to the marginalized.

Targeting political parties, the project aimed to open the political space to be more inclusive of women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Political parties are generally led by men who wield more power in decision making processes. Women and youth are usually the most active within political parties, but they mainly serve as mobilisers of supporters, cheerleaders, organisers of events and voters. WFD reviewed the instruments and structures of parties as well as providing training to various levels of party membership and leadership. The project succeeded in making the subject of inclusion and diversity a matter of interest for the parties and especially for the young people, women and PWDs. Bringing these participants together helped strengthen interparty relationships. Above all, it brought about a unity of purpose among the participants. They realised that they all face the same circumstances in their respective parties, hence the need for concerted effort to enhance their inclusion and participation.