The Gambia
Core analysis conducted and presented by Haddijatou Ceesay and Joe Bongay of the Gambia in August, 2021.
Executive Summary
On youth and gender inclusion, The Gambia is rated as: poor.
In addition to a lack of clear guidelines for meeting emissions reduction goals, The Gambia fails to adequately recognize the important contributions of women and young people as decision-makers, stakeholders, educators, carers, and experts across sectors and at all levels to have a tremendous impact on matters affecting climate change. Further, despite having enacted a national policy for the advancement of women in 1999, the INDC fails to empower women as climate leaders.
Top recommendations for gender justice:
Top recommendations for enhancing youth inclusion:
Encourage and identify the participation of women’s groups in sustainable resource consumption to reduce over-reliance on forests and support a just transition.
Gender inequalities contribute to vulnerability, malnutrition, and reduction in the adaptive capacity of women and girls; thus, the NDC should make a stronger reference to this connection and enhance the inclusion of women in the design of solutions.
Support children and young people in sharing their concerns through inclusion in national consultations for the enhancement and implementation of the INDC.
Recognize youth as stakeholders, who have greater visibility of their rights and needs, and provide capacity-building and financial support to empower them to take lead on climate action projects.
Enhance climate education and climate action projects in schools and train young people to become peer educators on issues related to climate change, as they become advocates and lead behavioral change.
NDC Ambassador Haddijatou Ceesay is from The Gambia and holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of The Gambia. Due to her passion for climate action, she is involved in climate research, seminars, and projects at the university. She loves to use her knowledge to help future generations and educate her community on how to take action against the effects of climate change.
NDC Mentor Joe Soya Bongay is an environmental activist and a trained professional in social & environmental Sector Planning and Management. He leads the human rights, peace & environment advocacy agenda, supporting policies and programmes that promote innovations, environmental sustainability, sustainable economic development, and green job creation. He is the current Executive Director at Young Volunteers for the Environment (YVE) a registered youth-led non-profit organization that predominantly advocates for environmental sustainability calling for urgent action on nature crises and the climate emergency.