This post is relevant in today’s conversation on women’s welfare since the former Vice president, a woman oversaw the ministry of women’s affairs under Adama Barrow this is what happened under her watch: Posted International Women’s Day. Hate him, love him Yahya did more for Gambian Women so far. Hopefully, the new male Women’s minister will deliver more than his predecessor. Vice president Darboe the challenge is yours.
“The Gambia government under President Barrow has taken a major backward step by reducing the Maternal Leave policy from six months to three months as contained in the Revised General Orders Code of Conduct and Public Service Rules and Regulations, clause 04110.
Increasing the Maternity Leave from twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) weeks in 2010 was a major, progressive and bold move that was acclaimed globally as a major step in protecting, respecting and maintaining child and women’s rights particularly the reproductive health and employment rights of women. This move also put The Gambia in the same league as the countries that provide the most paid maternity leave by law according to the ILO.
Meanwhile, the USA and Papua New Guinea are the only countries that do NOT guarantee paid leave for new mothers. Activists argue that the time has come for the U.S. to recognize the economic, physical, and psychological costs of this approach for working mothers and their babies, and to secure its own economic future by providing paid leave to all working parents.”