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 Section 28(1) and (2) provides for the promotion and protection of the human rights of women by providing that “women are to be accorded full and equal dignity of the person with men as well as having the right to equal treatment with men, including equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities”. The Constitution also makes general provisions for the protection of the right to life, personal liberty, and protection from slavery and forced labour, inhuman treatment and deprivation of property. ii. The Women’s Act 2010 The Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa has been domesticated through the Women’s Act 2010. Since its enactment, the Act has been invoked in a number of court cases. For instance, in 2011, Section 43 of the women’s Act 2010 was invoked “in the case of Matty Faye v Dawda Jawara where the applicant was able to obtain a declaration from the court that she is entitled to an equitable share of her matrimonial property, based on the substantial contribution in the development of the property, even though the property was in the name of her ex-husband.” iii. Other Domestic Legislations The Government has also enacted laws for the protection and promotion of women`s rights in The Gambia such as The Domestic Violence Act of 2013, which protects women from all forms of violence in domestic setting, and the Sexual Offences Act of 2013 which criminalises all forms of sexual violence against women. In 2015, the Women’s Act was amended to prohibit and criminalise Female Genital Mutilation or circumcision. iv. Budgetary resources of the national machinery The Government of The Gambia provides yearly contributions/support to Local Organizations under the platform of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. In addition, quarterly sitting allowances are provided by the Government for Women’s Councillors. Steps taken to close the gap in gender budgeting in key Government Ministries A number of advocacy and capacity building workshops on Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) for Cabinet Ministers, National Assembly members, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of 126