The Gambia

Population

• Total Population: Approximately 2.7 million (as of 2024)
• Gender Distribution: 51% female, 49% male
• Youth Population: Over 60% under the age of 30
• Urban vs Rural Distribution: 60% urban, 40% rural

Economic Landscape

• GDP: $2 billion (2023 estimate)
• Key Industries: Agriculture, Tourism, Trade
• Women in Workforce: Around 50%, primarily in informal sectors
• Gender Pay Gap: Women earn 28% less than men in formal employment
• Challenges: Financial exclusion, lack of opportunities for female entrepreneurs

Political Landscape

• Women’s Representation in Leadership:
  • Parliament: 19%
  • Local Government Leadership: 11% of mayors are women
• Challenges: Societal resistance, lack of political mentorship for women
• Key Policies Promoting Gender Equality:
  • Women’s Act of 2010
  • National gender policy frameworks

• Social and Cultural Context

  • Gender Norms and Cultural Attitudes:
    • Strong influence of traditional norms
    • Women’s roles centered around family and caregiving
  • Traditional Barriers:
    • Early marriages
    • Limited access to education

• Gender Index Rankings

  • Global Gender Gap Index (2023): Ranked 120th out of 146 countries
  • Human Development Index (2023): 0.502 (Low human development)
  • Women’s Empowerment Index: Moderate progress in health and education
  • Challenges Identified: Economic dependence on men, widespread gender-based violence.