Wives of the Presidents of some African countries have renewed their call for zero tolerance to gender based violence.
The First Ladies from across West and Central Africa,at the high-level forum, themed “Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence “.
The programme held in Banjul ,the Gambia capital , under the Sub-Saharan Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus (SWEDD+) initiative ,called for urgent and coordinated action to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV).
Co-organised by the Government of The Gambia and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the meeting was held in collaboration with partners including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank, and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
The event brought together political leaders, development partners, and technical experts to accelerate regional efforts aimed at protecting women and girls and addressing one of the region’s most persistent challenges.
The Gambia’s First Lady, Fatoumata Bah-Barrow, alongside Senegal’s First Lady, Marie Koné Faye, with participation from other First Ladies across SWEDD+ countries, ECOWAS Directorate of Communication, said on Saturday.
A major highlight of the meeting was the adoption and signing of a Joint Declaration on Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence by the First Ladies, signaling a unified commitment to champion women’s rights and drive change at the highest levels.
Speaking on behalf of President Adama Barrow, Vice President Mohamed B.S. Jallow reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to combating GBV, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement and prevention strategies.
Also in attendance were senior regional officials, including ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray, ministers, and representatives of the African Union and development institutions.
Touray highlighted ECOWAS’s role in supporting member states through institutional strengthening, legal harmonisation, and implementation of policies aimed at addressing violence against women and girls.
The forum followed a ministerial meeting and technical experts’ session held earlier in the week, which assessed progress and identified persistent gaps in prevention, legal enforcement, and service delivery.
Despite existing frameworks, participants noted that implementation challenges continue to leave millions of women and girls vulnerable to violence and inequality.
Delegates endorsed key initiatives, including a Regional GBV Roadmap (2026–2028) and a Legal Scorecard designed to track countries’ progress in enforcing laws and policies. A ministerial communiqué also called for stronger institutions, improved coordination, and sustained political commitment.
Participants stressed the importance of moving beyond policy commitments to measurable impact, calling for increased investment in prevention, improved access to justice, and survivor-centered services. They also underscored the need to address harmful social norms and strengthen data systems for better accountability.
First Ladies pledged to sustain advocacy efforts and ensure that commitments made in Banjul translate into concrete national and regional actions, emphasizing that achieving zero tolerance for GBV requires decisive leadership, sustained investment, and immediate action.