LESSON
Lesson Learned: Enhancing Women’s participation in Democracy in The Gambia
Participants in the project reported that their self-esteem had improved and that they were more empowered to become involved in politics. Some of the women have become effective leaders and agents of change. Of those women standing in local government elections, 80 per cent had been trained by the project. To mainstream these efforts, the grantee could lobby government, opposition parties, and the Independent Electoral Commission to include a statutory requirement for a minimum representation of women in National Assembly and local government
Project Partner
West African Network for Peacebuilding, The Gambia
Project Description
The project aimed to promote the involvement and participation of women in electoral processes and democratic governance. Following the decision of all but one of the opposition parties not to participate in the National Assembly elections, the grantee expanded the project to the local government elections.
Project activities included focus groups about women’s rights to encourage active representation of women in the community decision-making processes. Open forums and regional radio programmes generated knowledge and vibrant discussion among the wider public. A capacity building scheme combined training, mentorship, and experience sharing. The project effectively questioned entrenched cultural norms and pervasive religious beliefs. However, in spite of the project’s advocacy activities and the provision of training and mentoring number female candidates in the local government elections was lower than during the previous 2006-2008 cycle.
Report
Evaluation Date
January 2013
Theme
Country