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 The Government, in realization of the precarious situation of refugees and being mindful of its commitments under international law and domestic legislations continues to heavily invest in refugee management issues with a view to providing them with favourable protection as they search for the most appropriate durable solution. The Government through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, provides refugees equal access and treatment in terms of cost of treatment in all Government hospitals and health facilities as accorded to its citizens. The refugee host communities have been assisting refugees to integrate locally in The Gambia by providing them with land to build their homes and to farm on. Furthermore, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees facilitates the local integration of refugees through various livelihoods support. During the Senegalese refugee influx in 2011 from Cassamance, Senegal, the Government provided material assistance such as food, shelter, clothing and free medical care. Senegalese refugees from the region of Cassamance numbering around twelve thousand (12,000), form the greater part of refugee population in The Gambia. The Gambia has signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2000 but is yet to ratify and domesticate same. However, as a party to the CRC and the ACRWC, The Gambia has taken into consideration the need for the protection of the child and as such, children below the age of 18 are not recruited as soldiers or other law enforcement agencies. The Gambia, although, unlike many of her neighbours in the sub-region, has not experienced the direct consequences of armed conflict. In December, 2016, the country was in fear of a conflict when President Jammeh refuses to accept the election results and step down. The country was in a state of panic which resulted to women fleeing the country with their children to neighbouring Senegal for fear of conflict. THEME 8. RIGHTS OF SPECIALLY PROTECTED WOMENS GROUPS 8.1 Widows There are both constitutional and legislative measures that have been put in place by the Government of The Gambia to protect the rights of widows and their right to inheritance. Section 44 of The Women’s Act 2010, provides protection for the Widow’s Rights; including the right not to be subject to inhuman, humiliating or degrading treatment. Widows are also given the primary custody of 165