September 19, 2003
Posted to the web September 19, 2003

The Gambia has became the first member state of the African Union to sign the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People Rights relating to the right of women in Africa.

The Permanent Representative of the Gambia to the African Union, Dr. Oma A. Touray, signed the Protocol on behalf of his Government. Dr. Touray on the occasion stated that his country was the first to sign the Protocol relating to the rights of women in Africa because it attached great importance to the rights and welfare of women.

The Interim Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, Mr. Amara Essy, on his part, congratulated the Gambia for taking the lead in signing the protocol, adding that the gesture placed the Gambia among the countries at the forefront in the struggle for women's rights on the Continent, as the country had demonstrated in appointing a women Vice-President and many women in high government posts.

It will be recalled that the Commissioner - Elect responsible for Political Affairs in the Commission of the African Union, Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner, is a national of the Gambia.

 

PEACE

Tombong