The First Ladies of Sub-Saharan Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD Plus) countries will convene in Banjul from April 8 to 10, 2026, for a high-level forum dedicated to advancing zero tolerance for gender-based violence (GBV) across West and Central Africa.
The forum is co-organised by the Government of The Gambia and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in close collaboration with key partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and SWEDD Plus countries.
The co-leadership “underscores the growing recognition that ending GBV requires not only national commitment but also strong and coordinated regional action”.
The high-level forum comes at a time when violence against women and girls continues to undermine human rights, public health, and development outcomes.
The Banjul gathering represents more than a convening; it is a decisive step towards aligning political leadership, regional institutions, and community action behind a shared agenda.