Office of the First Lady The Gambia

First Lady Champions Rural Women and Girls at IWD Celebration in Kerewan

Her Excellency First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow graced rural celebration of the International Women’s Day (IWD) in Kerewan, North Bank Region, standing in solidarity with provincial women and girls whose daily work sustains families, communities and the nation.

The First Lady honored women farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and nurses who are driving nation’s development from the grassroots.

She highlighted issues affecting women and girls, and recommitted to protecting their rights, expanding support, and ensuring justice works for the most vulnerable.

At the regional level, First Lady Bah Barrow noted that The Gambia recently hosted SWEDD+ First Ladies’ summit, bringing together leaders to unite against gender-based violence.

Speaking at the ceremony in Kerewan, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Fatou Sanyang Kinteh revealed that The Gambia’s first specialised court to end unnecessary delays for survivors of gender-based violence is due for inauguration.

She reaffirmed The Gambia Government’s unwavering commitment to women and girls across the country. Minister Kinteh also noted that the Gender Ministry is working with other sectors to strengthen laws and policies and as well close gaps in legal frameworks protecting women and children.

The celebrations featured a parade by women in various institutions.

First Lady joins Türkiye & TIKA to fight food waste in Gunjur

Her Excellency First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow today joined the Embassy of Türkiye and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) in Gunjur Village, West Coast Region, to mark the International Day of Zero Waste 2026.

The International Day of Zero Waste, observed annually, highlights the importance of sustainable consumption, production, and waste management to advance a circular economy. Jointly facilitated by UNEP and UN-Habitat, the day calls for global action to combat pollution and manage the over 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste produced annually.

Key aspects of the 'International Day of Zero Waste 2026 Focus: Food Waste', the 2026 observance specifically addresses food waste, highlighting that nearly 1 billion tonnes of food are wasted annually.

The goal is to promote sustainable development by encouraging the "5 R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot (compost)."
On the global impact, the initiative aims to shift society toward a circular economy, reducing pollution and protecting natural resources.
Individuals and organizations are encouraged to actions in hosting events, raising awareness, and adopting zero-waste habits.

Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow is set to host the SWEDD+ First Ladies’ Forum on Zero Tolerance for Gender-Based Violence from 8th to 10th April 2026.

First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow in Washington for Global Coalition Summit

Her Excellency First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow is among 45 First Spouses attending the inaugural meeting of the 'Fostering the Future Together' Global Coalition in Washington DC, USA. The First Lady of the United States H.E. Melania Trump hosted her counterparts and technology leaders to advance the wellbeing of children in the digital age through education, innovation and technology. The Global Summit focused on AI in Education, Education Technology, Digital Literacy and Safety for Children in the digital era.

Her Excellency First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow delivered a statement at the AUDA-NEPAD-OAFLAD strategy partners roundtable in collaboration with the New York Africa Chambers of Commerce at the side event of the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women's, in New York, USA.

Her Excellency called to collectively work together to build structures capable of converting Afric'as creatively and labour into a formal scalable enterprise ecosystem.

She said economic justice for women cannot be limited to micro- credit and short term projects. It must include integration into value chains, access to digital platforms, enterprise normalisation and connection to regional and global markets.

The high-level leadership through the AUDA-NEPAD-OAFLAD partnership for countries such as The Gambia, creates an opportunity to connect national sector priorities with continental platforms that would bring prosperity to our women.

In a separate engagement The Gambia- Turkiye CSW70 joint side event at the UN headquarters, Her Excellency First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow delivered another statement on the theme: "Advancing equality, women's leadership, mentorship, inclusiveness, and addressing harmful practices including emerging technology facilitated forms in OIC member states."

The key messages centered on unity against harmful traditional practices, promotion of equality and leadership for sustainable development and safe digital space for women and girls to protect their rights.

The First Lady called on member states to share best practices, strengthen partnerships and commit to measurable outcomes that will safeguard the rights and dignity of women and girls across our nations. The Gambia stand ready to collaborate with fellow OIC member states, development partners, civil society and youth leaders to build a future where equality is not aspiration, but guaranteed, where mentorship is not optional, but institutional and where technology becomes a force for protection and empowerment not harm.

First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow led The Gambia's delegation to the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, USA, emphasising an integrated approach to end violence against women and girls. She spoke at a UN Women event, highlighting justice, survivor support and community prevention.

Her Excellency First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow graced the Annual TARI and ISLAMIC CONFERENCE of the Haja Mai Muhammed Ya Dalieu Savage Arabic School, at Kairaba Hotel, Senegambia.

The event honors the legacy of Aja Mai, a trailblazing Gambian woman who excelled in both Quranic and Western education, setting a remarkable precedent for her time. Aja Mai was also a dedicated educator and proprietor of Alhaji Yadalieu Savage School in Kanifing Industrial Area, named in honor of her father, the late Imam of Oku Ar Rahman Masjid on Allen Street, Banjul.

"'Twenty-One African Queens Every Young Girl Should Know About" A story book by Nana Ofori-Atta celebrates African history,women leadership and highlighting the power of storytelling to inspire the young ones about our queens who were leaders in various countries in Africa.

From Ghana to Madagascar, Benin to Ethiopia, SouthAfrica to Egypt to Senegal, these queens expanded empires, conquered nation, protected their people from slavery and colonialism, established new standards of femininity and defenders of their sovereignty.

Her Excellency First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow had the honour to launch the story book Nana Ofori-Atta authored. The book launch took place at the Coco Ocean Hotel Resort.

First Lady Fatoumatta Bah Barrow Celebrates New Year’s First Babies with Gifts and Support

As part of her new year celebrations, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, the First Lady of The Gambia, welcomed the first babies (newborns) of 2026 in the country.

She visited the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, Serrekunda General Hospital, and Bundung Maternal hospital where she celebrated the first, second, and third babies of 2026. Each newborn received special gifts from the First Lady, a gesture that has become a beautiful way of starting the year.

In addition, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, alongside the Ministry of Health, pledge support for the children until they turn 18 years. All the mothers in the maternity wards also shared the joy of benefiting from the First Lady’s gesture.

The First Lady’s engagement once again brought families, leaders, and communities together, welcoming this year’s first blessings.

The occasion was graced by the Honourable Ministers for Gender, Health, Information, and other dignitaries.