On March 26, 2025, the National Climate Action Centre (NCAC) at the University of The Gambia’s Kanifing Campus hosted a validation meeting for the Baseline Study on National and Subnational Gender and Climate Legislation, Policies, and Programmes, organized by MRV for Climate Action The Gambia.
The validation meeting formed part of a broader sectoral discussion focused on baseline research concerning gender and climate change legislation at both national and subnational levels. This discussion followed an initial forum held in January 2025, which explored key themes such as the role of women in climate governance, systemic barriers faced by women in the climate sector, the creation of an “ambition loop” to highlight women in leadership, gender-focused budgeting, enhancing gender literacy, and the development of gender-responsive climate action plans.
The meeting brought together senior government officials, environmental stakeholders, project coordinators of community-based organizations, representatives from the environment sector, climate advocates, security personnel, and climate change experts from across the country.
Mr. Buba Khan, the program moderator, stated that the MRV for Climate Action Program in four West African countries acknowledged the need to enhance women’s agency in climate action. He explained that this initiative stemmed from a multi-level climate governance workshop in Ghana, where participating countries underscored the importance of strengthening women’s roles in climate governance. As a result, a concept note titled Building a Regional Women’s Community of Practice for Effective Climate Action was developed, along with the terms of reference. He noted that each country appointed a National Investigator (NI) to oversee its implementation, with Mrs Tabu Njie Sarr assigned this role in The Gambia.
#Ms.. Aji Rohey Bah Leigh, Programme Manager for Environmental Policy and Legislation at the National Environment Agency emphasized her agency’s role in protecting and preserving the environment while addressing climate change. In her welcoming remarks, she highlighted key policies, including those related to ocean depletion, and pointed out existing gaps in environmental governance. She noted that the agency is tasked with collecting data on climate change and mentioned their ongoing efforts to implement the Kigali Implementation Plan, which focuses on air and water quality.
In her opening statement, Mrs Neneh Touray, Deputy Director of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Welfare, emphasized that the MRV for Climate Action Programme supports partner countries in aligning their national development priorities with low-carbon solutions. She explained that the program enhances capacities to plan, finance, and achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions while simultaneously addressing local development challenges
Hon. Bakary K. Badjie emphasized the need for collective engagement in addressing key issues, advocating for a comprehensive approach. He highlighted the importance of promoting gender sensitivity, consulting on climate change, and starting awareness efforts at the household level to foster informed communities.
