The Gambian delegation participated in the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York from July 21 to 24, 2025, to present their Voluntary National Review (VNR) report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The delegation was led by Hon. Seedy Keita and included several key ministers.
During a roundtable discussion focused on gender equality and health, Hon. Fatou Kinteh emphasized the Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus (SWEDD+) project, which aims to empower adolescent girls and women in The Gambia.
This initiative addresses critical issues such as illiteracy, early marriage, and poverty, while promoting birth registration and creating safe spaces for education and skill development.
Key components of the SWEDD+ project include a school re-entry program for girls, training in livelihood skills, and initiatives aimed at addressing gender-based violence.
The project aligns with The Gambia’s National Development Plan and the SDGs, to enhance women’s economic empowerment and tackle high maternal mortality rates alongside other socio-cultural challenges.
Effective collaboration among various ministries is essential for the successful implementation of this project, which seeks to overcome obstacles to gender equality and health in the country.
