Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The Gambia has been named among three African countries set to benefit from a new African Development Bank (AfDB) initiative aimed at strengthening gender equality, good governance, and institutional resilience.
The AfDB has approved approximately $3.7 million for the Building Resilience and Inclusive Development through Governance and Equality (BRIDGE) project, which will support The Gambia, South Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau.
The initiative comes as the bank observes the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, underscoring its commitment to tackling the underlying governance weaknesses that allow gender-based violence and discrimination to persist.
Project to Target Justice Sector and Women’s Leadership
The BRIDGE project seeks to strengthen justice institutions, enhance women’s representation, and empower civil society organizations to demand transparency and accountability.
In The Gambia, where challenges linked to fragility and limited resources continue to burden women and young people, the project is expected to reinforce ongoing national efforts to expand women’s leadership and promote gender-responsive governance.
According to the Bank, the initiative will equip justice-sector institutions, women leaders, and civil society groups with tools to address gender-based violence, improve access to justice, and ensure decision-making structures reflect women’s needs and priorities.
“Real progress happens when everyone has a voice in shaping their future,” said Dr. Jemimah Njuki, Director of the Gender, Women, and Civil Society Department at the AfDB. “Through this project, we’re supporting gender-responsive budgeting, stronger leadership opportunities for women, and practical skills development to ensure that governance is inclusive of and reflects the needs of all citizens.”
UNDP to Lead On-the-Ground Implementation
The grant agreement for BRIDGE was signed in November by AfDB’s Director General for East Africa, Alex Mubiru, and UNDP’s Matthias Naab, marking a key step toward rolling out the initiative.
The UNDP will spearhead implementation through its networks in The Gambia and the other two beneficiary countries.
Its work will involve supporting both formal and informal justice systems, strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms, and helping communities, particularly women and young people, gain improved access to justice and accountability structures.
Strengthening National Institutions for Inclusive Growth
The BRIDGE project is designed to reinforce transparency and inclusiveness within public institutions while opening new avenues for women’s leadership, skills development, and participation in national decision-making processes.
For The Gambia, the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms in public-sector governance and the broader national agenda to empower women and ensure inclusive development. By addressing systemic weaknesses, the AfDB hopes to support more resilient pathways to stability and economic growth across the beneficiary countries.
The funding is provided through the Bank’s Transition Support Facility, which offers concessional financing to nations confronting fragility and conflict.
The AfDB’s Gender, Women, and Civil Society team will offer technical guidance, oversee policy coherence, and track progress on women’s participation in governance.
As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, this initiative serves as a timely boost to The Gambia’s fight against gender inequality and its efforts to build stronger, more accountable institutions.
