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
organizations. The Ministry of Education in partnership with UNICEF and FAWEGAM has initiated
“Mothers” Clubs,” which played a great role in closing the gap between boys and girls in schools by
generating income to cover the indirect cost of school fees, give guidance and counselling to
families and girls to promote the retention of girls in school and engage in environmental cleanliness
of the school.
The partnership with the General Secretariat for Islamic/Arabic Education and the MoBSE has
contributed to boosting enrolments and enhanced access particularly for Muslim girls. It has broken
the misconception that Muslim girls should not go to school as the Secretariat is not only advocating
for girls’ education but is actually making provision for them within their educational system. The
Government of The Gambia has created an enabling environment for Civil Society Organisations
and Non-Governmental Organisations to engage in activities relating to the promotion of education
girls and children with special needs in The Gambia. The European Fundraising Association
Network (EFA NET) implemented two projects (2006/2008) on inclusive education targeting girls
and children with special needs and with support from Save the Children Sweden in collaboration
with FAWEGAM, the Child Protection Alliance (CPA) and the Specials Needs Education Unit.
Under the 2008 project, A child friendly version of the Sexual Harassment Policy has been
developed by MoBSE, GTU, CPA and FAWEGAM with funding from Save the Children Sweden and
disseminated to stakeholders.
School Enrolment
It is notable that under the MDGs and its Education for All and the Fast Track Initiative, The Gambia is one
of the leading African countries that have met the Millennium Development Goals with respect to primary
school enrolment free of charge, as well as gender parity.
Since the last reporting period, in order to promote and safeguard the right to education for all, the
Government has constructed more schools with a proximity range of 2 kilometres to provide access to
education to every Gambian child.
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