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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 29146, member: 2262"] The UNFPA and ITC-Gambia recently joined with private businesses to start a new effort for gender equality in The Gambia. They kicked off both the Private Sector Coalition for Gender Equality Campaign and new Guidelines for Public Procurement that help women business owners. The event happened at the ITC meeting space in Bakau as part of celebrating International Women's Day. This campaign wants to get more businesses actively pushing for gender equality. It focuses on creating awareness and sparking real changes to build a society where women and girls can succeed. Many important people attended, including government officials and business leaders, all coming together to talk about lasting ways to improve gender equality across The Gambia. Ngonneh Panneh from ITC spoke at the event, saying this launch shows everyone's dedication to removing obstacles and creating an economy that includes all people. She pointed out some eye-opening facts about the current situation. Around 40 percent of countries' GDP goes to public procurement worldwide, but women-led companies receive just 1 percent of these contracts. The new guidelines will act as a practical handbook for women who run businesses, especially small ones. They will help them understand how to compete for government contracts. Business support groups can also use these materials to better assist the women entrepreneurs they work with. Panneh stressed that public contracts alone can't fix everything—private companies must also make deliberate efforts to include women-owned businesses in their supply chains. "Empowering women through trade is not charity; it makes economic sense," Panneh explained. Trade Minister Baboucarr Joof also addressed the crowd, noting that these new initiatives will significantly help women-led companies participate more fully in business opportunities. He emphasized that private businesses play a crucial role in national development, and partnerships must be strengthened to achieve both development goals and gender equality. Minister Joof described the procurement guide as an important step forward for gender-inclusive economic growth in The Gambia. The document clearly explains how public procurement laws and regulations work in the country. It highlights the importance of following the Gambia Public Procurement Act from 2022 and its 2024 Regulations, giving women business owners practical insights to navigate government purchasing systems successfully. Several other key figures shared their thoughts at the launch event. These speakers included Ndey Ross Sarr from UNFPA, Fatou Jallow representing GCCI, and Fatoumata Jawara-Dukureh from the Women Advocacy Group. All supported the mission to increase economic opportunities for women across The Gambia. [/QUOTE]

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