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 Gambia has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has made strides in some areas. There are three recognized specialized schools for persons with disabilities: St. John’s School for the Deaf, Methodist Special School for children with Learning Difficulties and GOVI resource centre providing an education service for the visually impaired. A number of Government agencies have been addressing the rights of persons with disabilities. These include the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Social Welfare Department, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, etc. The National Planning Commission is also currently in consultation with the Disabled Peoples’ Organization and The Gambia Federation of the Disabled to mainstream disability into Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. The Gambia Plan of Action on the African Decade for Persons with Disabilities is in the process of being endorsed. More than thirteen non-Government organizations and associations have also been working on issues affecting persons with disabilities. Additionally, the Persons with disabilities Bill 2018 which is a domestication of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has been drafted and is in the process of being finalised before it is tabled before the National Assembly. 8.4 Women in distress Section 55 of the Women’s Act 2010 provides for the special protection of women in distress and highlights that it is the obligation of the Government to take appropriate measures to protect destitute women, women who are heads of families including women from marginalised population groups with an environment that is conducive to their physical, economic and social needs. Additionally, the Section 55 (b) provides that the Government shall protect the right of pregnant or nursing women or women in detention by providing a conducive environment taking into account their condition and their right to be treated with dignity. Achievements and Progress Made since 2012 Government The provisions of Women’s Act relating to inheritance and property rights of women continue to be enforced by the Courts on an equitable basis. Civil Society FLAG continues to employ a dynamic approach to women’s rights advocacy aimed at securing gender equality in The Gambia and ensuring access to justice for women and girls whose rights are violated. 168