Banjul, The Gambia – Meeting from 8 to 10 April 2026 in Banjul, the First Ladies of several SWEDD+ countries, along with representatives from Cameroon and the Central African Republic, took a decisive step forward in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). Beyond advocacy, the Forum strengthened a regional momentum focused on action, accountability, and concrete results for women and girls.

Over three days, the Gambian capital hosted a high-level political gathering dedicated to zero tolerance for GBV. At a time when such violence continues to undermine the health, safety, and future of millions of women and girls, participants delivered a clear message: the time has come to accelerate collective action and reinforce institutional accountability. 

From the outset, the Forum set a shared ambition - to move from strong political commitment to more structured, coordinated, and effectively monitored implementation. High-level sessions, ministerial consultations, and technical exchanges helped bridge political vision with operational decision-making.

An agenda focused on action and accountability

Several major milestones marked the Forum. The official launch of the SWEDD+ First Ladies Alliance creates a new platform for leadership and advocacy at the regional level. The adoption of the 2026–2028 regional roadmap, the establishment of a monitoring dashboard, and the signing of the Banjul Declaration together provide a stronger political and operational framework for collective action.

On the sidelines of the Forum, a strategic ministerial meeting brought together member countries and key partners, including the World Bank, UNFPA, ECOWAS, and WAHO. Together, they reaffirmed the need for a harmonized response grounded in robust monitoring mechanisms, strengthened regional cooperation, and clear recognition of GBV as both a public health crisis and a major barrier to development.

The Forum also identified key priorities for action: strengthening legal and policy frameworks; improving prevention, protection, and access to justice; ensuring integrated, survivor-centered services; and mobilizing sustainable financing. At the core of this approach lies a shared conviction—no lasting progress will be achieved without multisectoral coordination, regular monitoring of commitments, and sustained political will.

A leadership alliance to drive change

A key highlight of the Forum was the launch of the SWEDD+ First Ladies Alliance. This leadership platform aims to mobilize high-level political influence to accelerate reforms, support national systems, and maintain pressure on results.

In her closing remarks, the First Lady of The Gambia, H.E. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, underscored the central challenge: “Our responsibility does not end with declarations. It begins with implementation, accountability, and sustained political will.”

Adopted on 10 April 2026, the Banjul Declaration now serves as the political foundation for this renewed momentum. Together with the 2026–2028 regional roadmap, SWEDD+ and its partners now have a clear, shared operational framework to strengthen systems, improve services for survivors, harmonize national responses, and shift the social norms that perpetuate violence.

Funded by the World Bank with technical assistance from UNFPA and ECOWAS, SWEDD+ continues to advance its regional agenda with renewed ambition: to make the fight against gender-based violence not only a political priority, but a measurable reality in the lives of women and girls.