By Aramata Jatta
The members of the National Assembly on Tuesday 16th of March 2020 adopted the report of the Select Committee on Health, Women, Children, Disaster, Humanitarian Relief and Refugees on the Bill entitled an act to review,amend and repeal the provisions of the Birth,Death and Marriages Registration act referred to as the Principal Act which is found to be discriminatory against women and girls in the Gambia.
This Bill was tabled by the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Hon.Abubacarr Tambadou on 22 June 2020 and on the 16 of July, 2020 following the conclusion of the second reading of the Bill where the members debated on the principles and merits.
After which it was referred to the Assembly Business Committee (ABC). Subsequently the ABC committed the said Bill to the relevant for who were tasked to review, consult and report to plenary on its findings and recommendation.
Laying the report before plenary the chairperson of the select committee Hon.Ousman Sillah informed the members that this amendment is the first of its kind in Africa being the trail blazer for recognition, observance and the domestication of international obligations and commitments reacting to women’s right into domestic laws.
”Since the enactment of the women’s act 2020, significant strides have been made to enforce the law and to protect women in line with the provision of the Act”.
According to the reasons and objectives stated in the draftsperson of the Ministry of Justice ”The Principal Act provides that a person shall not be forced to enter his name in the register as the father of an illegitimate child without his consent. As a result many children are left without a father and all the responsibility is the mother”
This actively demonstrates that It seeks to eradicate such injustice and discrimination against women and childred by reviewing and amending the provisions of the principal act that are discriminatory against women.`
At this juncture the said report has been adopted for consideration.
Deputies adopt Discriminatory Bill Against Women & Children
