First Ladies from countries participating in the SWEDD+ project are gathering in Banjul, The Gambia, for a high-level forum from April 8 to 10, 2026. The meeting, co-organized by the Government of The Gambia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aims to strengthen regional commitment to ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.
The SWEDD+ project (Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend), supported by UNFPA and the World Bank, involves multiple countries in West and Central Africa. The forum in Banjul is a key platform for advocating policies and sharing strategies to accelerate the elimination of violence against women and girls.
This gathering builds on previous regional initiatives and high-level commitments, including the 'Banjul Declaration' from a 2023 meeting, which called for accelerated action. The event underscores the ongoing collaborative effort to translate political pledges into concrete national actions across the region.
