The United Democratic Party (UDP) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that women occupy at least 30 percent of cabinet positions should it form the next government.
Yakumba Jaiteh, the party’s deputy senior administrative secretary and a member of its Policy and Legal Committee, made the declaration on QTV’s Decision program. She emphasised that the pledge was not a mere campaign promise but a binding resolution adopted at the UDP’s 2018/2019 congress.
According to Jaiteh, the party has already begun implementing the policy within its leadership structures. Women currently account for 43 percent of the UDP’s 37 elected executive members and 63.6 percent of the 11 executive members nominated by the party leader. Overall, women make up 35 percent of the party’s national executive.
She highlighted recent internal elections in which women contested senior positions such as deputy campaign manager and deputy organizing secretary, describing these developments as significant progress for female political participation in The Gambia.
Asked whether the commitment would extend to a UDP-led government, Jaiteh was unequivocal: “A UDP government definitely would adhere to this resolution of the party and would ensure at least 30 percent of the cabinet would be women.”
Jaiteh contrasted the UDP’s policy with the current administration under President Adama Barrow, criticizing the government for appointing only three women as ministers.
She also noted the limited number of women in the National Assembly, arguing that the president could have used his five nominated seats to boost female representation.
The UDP’s stance, Jaiteh said, reflects a broader effort to advance women’s leadership in Gambian politics and ensure gender parity in governance.
