Banjul, The Gambia – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and with funding from European Union (EU) has officially launched the first Nationwide Town Hall Dialogue on inclusive civic engagement. These dialogues are intended to empower citizens across the country to meaningfully contribute to national reform processes.

The inaugural session, convened in Banjul, marked the beginning of eight planned nationwide dialogues that will be held in all regions of the country. This initial dialogue lays the foundation for enhanced democratic participation by placing citizens at the centre of national discussions. The dialogues offer an open and constructive platform for right holders, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, rural communities, and diaspora members to interact with duty bearers, to influence and shape policies that reflect the aspirations and priorities of all Gambians.

 These engagements are aimed at promoting a culture of participatory and accountable governance through inclusive decision making. The Townhall discussions align with the priorities of the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (Yiriwaa), particularly in relation to the transitional justice process. Key topics include the implementation of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) recommendations, security sector reform, legal and institutional reforms, as well as the broader human rights and human security agenda. The dialogues also provide an opportunity to reflect on The Gambia’s international human rights obligations and the country’s recent engagements with the Universal Periodic Review, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

At the launch event, representatives from the NHRC, the European Union, and UNDP reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening citizen’s participation and promoting inclusive governance in The Gambia. 

The dialogue sessions will continue across all regions, engaging nearly five hundred key stakeholders such as local government representatives, technical advisory committees, civil society actors, and traditional leaders

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For more information, please contact:
Fazal Rehman Khan
Communications and Reporting Analyst 
EU-UNDP GREAT Project
Email: fazal.rehman.khan@undp.org
Cell: +2203363288