THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA justice and equal protection before the law, right to moveable and immoveable property, right to freedom of expression, protection from violence, prohibition of discrimination, right to health and health care services, the rights of women in rural communities, right to marry, special protection of elderly women, women with disabilities and women in distress. The Government and its partners have designed a series of interventions to achieving gender equality and women empowerment to allow for women to participate in decision making and political processes on an equal footing. In addition to the Constitutional and legislative measures, The Gambia adopted the National Policy for the Advancement of Gambian Women 2010-2020 which focuses on gender as a development concept and the participation of women in an equal and equitable manner, for economic, political and social development of The Gambia. Furthermore, one of the policy’s guiding principles is to take affirmative action to redress historical and traditional forms of discrimination against women and girls in political, education, economic and other social spheres. The Women’s Act 2010 requires the State to ensure that women are adequately represented in the judiciary and law enforcement organs of the state. It is also a directive principle of state policy to ensure that women are fairly represented and involved in decision-making positions. Notwithstanding the above policy and legislative interventions, it is disappointing to know that currently only 2 out of 20 Cabinet Ministers are women. At the National Assembly, although the current Speaker is a woman, there are only six female National Assembly Members out of 53 members. Below the disaggregated data of female representation both at the National Assembly and the local Government elections. Elected Female National Assembly Members YEAR NO. PERCENTAGE 2007 2 4.17% 2012 3 6.25% 2017 3 5.66% 130