In The Gambia, women constitute 50.7% of the population in relation to 49.3% male (2003 population census). The majority of Gambia women are rural based with 25.8% dwelling in the rural areas and 24.9% in urban.
The bulk of women dwelling in rural areas are engaged in agricultural production. They constitute the main food producers and carry out other activities such as processing and marketing of fish, vegetables, selling crafts in the tourism industry and other informal sector activities.
Goals and Objecives of Women's Bureau
The overall goal of the Women's Bureau is to improve the quality of life of all Gambians, particularly women; through the elimination of all forms of gender inequality by concrete gender and developement measures.
For these goals to be reached, a number of objectives have to be achieved. Notably, to ensure that specific and sectoral policies are gender sensitive.
Planning systems will have to take the following into account : women's needs, gender analysis, impact assessments, framework and research findings.
