Africa-Press – Gambia. Honorable Touma Njai, National Assembly Member for Banjul South and Chairperson of the Gender and Children’s Welfare Committee, has called for gender representation in the newly established National Assembly committee tasked with investigating the sale of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets.
In a statement issued following the formation of the special committee on Thursday, 15th May 2025, Hon. Njai commended the appointment of the members while expressing concern over the absence of female representation.
“As Chairperson of the Gender and Children’s Welfare Committee of the National Assembly and as a concerned women’s advocate, I take this opportunity to congratulate the members of the special committee established by the National Assembly of The Gambia on Thursday, 15th May 2025,” she said.
While acknowledging the qualifications and professionalism of the appointed members, Hon. Njai emphasized the importance of gender balance in all parliamentary committees.
“Whilst I acknowledge the competence of all distinguished members elected to serve this important committee and knowing full well that they will serve diligently and with utmost professionalism with no doubt, I have reservations on the fact that there is no female member selected to serve in the said special committee,” she said.
Hon. Njai further cited the motion that established the committee, which explicitly advocates for gender inclusion “bearing in mind that the selection committee has not acted ultra vires as the standing orders are silent on women’s representation in committees, it is best practice, as has always been the case in selecting committee membership, that at least one woman forms part of every committee.”
She appealed to the Office of the Clerk, which is empowered under Clause 4(1) and (2) to appoint support staff, to consider addressing this gap by including qualified women in support roles related to the committee’s work.
“I therefore now appeal to the office of clerk, mandated as per clause 4(1)&(2) to appoint support staff both from the assembly service staff as well as from personnel with required competence when appointing personnel, to consider closing this undesirable gap by considering competent women,” she said.
She clarified that her remarks do not question the qualifications or effectiveness of the current committee members but emphasize the need to review standing orders to strengthen gender inclusivity across Assembly committees.”This missive is by no means stating that members of the committee are ineligible or ineffective; rather, it calls for a close review of the standing orders that govern the work of the Assembly.”
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