AD1070: Gambian women still face barriers to equality in education, employment, and participation in politics – Afrobarometer

Report on Gender Inequality in The Gambia and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Gender Equality as a Cornerstone for Sustainable Development

Gender inequality, rooted in cultural and social structures, presents a significant impediment to the full realisation of human potential in The Gambia. Achieving gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a critical accelerator for all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Progress in this area is integral to the nation’s inclusive growth and the successful implementation of its recovery-focused National Development Plan (2023-2027).

Legislative and Policy Frameworks for SDG 5

The Gambia has established several legislative and policy instruments aimed at advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Despite these efforts, significant disparities persist. Key frameworks include:

• The Women’s Act (2010)
• Alignment with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
• The National Gender Policy (2024-2034), launched to strengthen national efforts

Socio-Cultural Barriers to Achieving Gender Equality and Quality Education (SDG 4 & 5)

Deeply embedded cultural norms and values continue to obstruct progress towards gender equality, particularly affecting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5. The primary challenges are concentrated in provincial areas and include:

• Socio-cultural practices such as early marriage that constrain girls’ access to education.
• Restrictions on opportunities for girls to pursue higher education.
• Limited career choices and aspirations for women, especially in fields traditionally dominated by men.

Statistical Analysis of Gender Disparities Across Key SDG Indicators

The Gambia’s performance on global indices highlights persistent gaps in achieving gender-related SDG targets. The country ranked 110th out of 146 countries in the 2024 Global Gender Index. An analysis of key indicators reveals significant challenges:

1. Political Representation (SDG 5.5): Women’s participation in political leadership remains low, with women holding only 8.6% of parliamentary seats.
2. Economic Leadership (SDG 5.5 & SDG 8): Women are underrepresented in decision-making roles, occupying just 31.4% of senior and middle management positions.
3. Financial Inclusion (SDG 5.a & SDG 8.10): A notable gap exists in access to financial services, with only 15% of women having access compared to 23% of men.
4. Employment and Economic Opportunity (SDG 8.5): Women’s employment is heavily concentrated in informal sectors, including services, sales, and agriculture, indicating a lack of access to decent work.

Public Perceptions and Institutional Efficacy (SDG 16)

Recent Afrobarometer survey data provides insight into public attitudes and the perceived effectiveness of institutions in protecting women’s rights, a key component of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

• While a majority of citizens support gender equality in politics, this support has declined, and only half of men endorse it.
• A widespread perception exists that gender discrimination and sexual harassment are uncommon.
• There is a significant trust deficit in institutional response, with 50% of adults believing that women and girls who report harassment will not be taken seriously.
• A substantial majority (almost 75%) of citizens call for the police and courts to intensify efforts to protect women and girls, underscoring the need to strengthen justice institutions to uphold SDG 16.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article highlights persistent gender disparities in education, noting that cultural practices restrict girls’ opportunities for higher education, particularly in provincial areas due to issues like early marriage.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This is the central theme of the article. It discusses gender inequality rooted in cultural norms, disparities in leadership, employment, and financial inclusion, and legislative efforts to promote women’s rights and eliminate discrimination.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article connects gender inequality to economic issues by mentioning disparities in access to employment, the low percentage of women in senior management positions, and the concentration of women in informal sectors like services and agriculture.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article touches on this goal by discussing citizens’ perceptions of the justice system’s effectiveness in protecting women. It notes that many doubt women who report harassment will be believed and that there is a public call for police and courts to enhance protection for women and girls.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.5: “By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable…” The article directly addresses this by stating that “gender disparities persist in… education” and that “socio-cultural practices such as early marriage constrain access to education” for girls.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: “End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.” The article discusses how cultural beliefs, norms, and social structures disadvantage women and mentions legislative efforts like the “Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.”
   • Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls…” The article mentions sexual harassment and the call for police and courts to “do more to protect women and girls against these threats.”
   • Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” This is directly supported by data in the article showing women hold only “8.6% of parliamentary seats and 31.4% of senior and middle management positions.”
   • Target 5.a: “Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to… financial services…” The article highlights the gap in financial inclusion, stating “just 15% of women having access to formal financial services, compared to 23% of men.”
   • Target 5.c: “Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality…” The article mentions the “Women’s Act (2010)” and the new “National Gender Policy” as examples of such policies and legislation.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.” The article points to challenges in achieving this target by highlighting “disparities in… access to employment and economic opportunities” and the fact that “many jobs held by women are concentrated in informal sectors.”

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The article implies a lack of equal access to justice when it states that “fully half of adults doubt that women and girls who complain about such treatment will be believed,” indicating a barrier to justice for victims of discrimination and harassment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

   • Indicator 5.5.1 (Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments): The article explicitly states that women hold “8.6% of parliamentary seats.”
   • Indicator 5.5.2 (Proportion of women in managerial positions): The article provides the figure that women hold “31.4% of senior and middle management positions.”
   • Indicator related to Target 5.a (Access to financial services): The article provides data on financial inclusion, noting that “15% of women having access to formal financial services, compared to 23% of men.”

2. Indicators for SDG 4 (Quality Education)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 4.5 (Gender parity in education): While no specific numbers are given, the article implies the existence of indicators by mentioning “educational gaps” and practices that “restrict girls’ opportunities to pursue higher education,” suggesting that enrollment and completion rates at different educational levels would be relevant metrics.

3. Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 8.5 (Informal employment): The article implies the relevance of measuring informal employment by sex, stating that “many jobs held by women are concentrated in informal sectors such as services, sales, and agriculture.”

4. Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Implied Indicator for Target 16.3 (Access to justice): The article suggests a qualitative indicator based on public perception. The finding that “fully half of adults doubt that women and girls who complain about such treatment will be believed” serves as a measure of public confidence in the justice system’s ability to serve women effectively.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: afrobarometer.org