Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) with partners recently convened a two-day regional forum at Wallymann Hotel in Farafennie.
The forum was aimed at strengthening advocacy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in policies and access to services. It was organised in partnership with ChildFund The Gambia and with funding from UNFPA.
In his keynote address, His Worship Muhammed Krubally, Chairperson of GFD and Principal Magistrate of Banjul Magistrate’s Court, stressed the importance of protecting disability rights: “Our principles must be explained, respected, promoted, and protected. They cannot be compromised.” He highlighted the need to align The Gambia’s Persons with Disabilities Act 2021 with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to ensure comprehensive inclusion.
Policy expert Mr. Lamin Fatajo, retired Education Director and consultant, underscored the urgency of mainstreaming disability inclusion across national policies. He noted that effective inclusion required removing societal barriers not only addressing impairments to guarantee equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and civic participation. Mr. Fatajo referenced international frameworks, including the UN CRPD, UNICEF’s Disability Inclusion Strategy (DIPAS 2022–2030), and the World Bank’s Disability-Inclusive Development model, emphasizing the principle: “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
On the second day, Mr. Fatajo analysed disability inclusion in the health and agricultural sectors, identifying gaps such as limited healthcare access, inadequate mental health services, shortage of assistive devices, and persistent cultural stigma. He called for urgent reforms, professional training, and expanded rehabilitation services.
Participants developed key recommendations, including aligning national laws with CRPD obligations, training healthcare professionals on disability rights, providing accessible information in Braille and audio formats, establishing an inter-ministerial task force in partnership with disability organizations, and expanding national awareness campaigns to combat stigma.
The forum represents a significant step toward fulfilling The Gambia’s commitment to building an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can fully realize their rights and potential.
The forum brought together government officials, community leaders, disability advocates, and policy experts, including the Alkalo and District Chief of Farafenni. It was moderated by Mr. Sainey Camara, Executive Director of GFD, with contributions from Mr. Sunkung Danso of ChildFund The Gambia.
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