WEST AFRICA’S FIRST LADIES HEAD TO BANJUL IN A BOLD ECOWAS MOVE AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. By Raymond Enoch
Banju, The Gambia is set to become the diplomatic heartbeat of West Africa in April as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) prepares to convene a high-level Forum of First Ladies of SWEDD+ countries, with a firm and uncompromising message: zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
Scheduled for April 14–16, 2026, the Forum is already gathering momentum following the successful completion of a five-day technical mission to The Gambia by the Department of Human Development and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission, working in collaboration with the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and the Gambian authorities.
The mission, deployed from January 26 to 30, 2026, signals a decisive shift by the regional bloc from advocacy to coordinated action in confronting one of West Africa’s most persistent social challenges. Unlike conventional gender-based violence engagements, the Banjul Forum is being positioned as a strategic political intervention, driven by influence, policy leverage and regional solidarity.
First Ladies from SWEDD+ countries are expected to play a central role, not as ceremonial figures but as regional champions committed to advancing the empowerment of women and girls and dismantling structures that perpetuate violence across borders.
The preparatory mission brought together representatives of relevant sectoral ministries, the Office of the First Lady of The Gambia, national organising committees, and key technical and financial partners. Its objective was to assess the level of preparedness, identify outstanding challenges and finalise the technical, logistical and institutional arrangements required for a successful Forum.
At the core of the initiative is the regional SWEDD+ project, supported by the World Bank, which aims to strengthen human capital outcomes by accelerating gender equality and safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls in West and Central Africa.
Officials involved in the planning say the Forum is expected to deliver strong political commitments, enhance cross-country coordination and reinforce a regional consensus that gender-based violence is not merely a social issue, but a development and governance challenge requiring urgent action.
With preparations intensifying, Banjul is poised to host more than a high-level meeting. The city will host a defining regional moment, as West Africa’s First Ladies unite under the ECOWAS banner to send a clear message that tolerance for gender-based violence has run out
