The vice president and minister of Women's Affairs yesterday called on the women of the country to institute a high sense of unity, honesty and love one and other in all works of life.

Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy was speaking on behalf of the Gambian leader during the launching of the Regional Women's Federation at the Upper River Region (URR). The launching ceremony started with a match past by various women associations. VP Njie-Saidy stressed that it is only through unity, honesty, love, respect and fear of God that women's efforts to build a solid and sustained federation will yield abundant success for generations yet unborn.

She hailed Gambian women's unwavering resolve to contribute to national development. She said: "Gambian women have never failed to respond to my call for support and have been at the forefront of national development since the advent of the July 22nd Revolution 16 years ago." She added: "Gambian women have never taken a back seat in any national development endeavour, and today's occasion is another demonstration of this reality with enormous fact."

VP Njie-Saidy further expressed sincere appreciation and congratulations to Gambian women for the patriotism they have been demonstrating. On government's commitment to the empowerment of women, the VP affirmed that government has put in place legislated policies and strategies in support of the empowerment of women and the girl child in an environment of equity, fair play and justice as embedded in the nation's constitution.

"My government will always live to see to it that the right and freedom of all women in this country and their protection against all forms of abuse and marginalisation are guaranteed without fear. Among these rights include the right to equal access to work, national resources and participation in decision-making among host of others," she assured.

She stated that the stage for all these have since commenced in all sectors that are critically relevant to the country's development. She also harped on the importance of girl's education and declared that for education the sky will be the limit. The vice president also reaffirmed the country's unwavering commitment to regional and sub-regional treaties and charters including the Dakar and Beijing Platforms of Action, The UN Assembly Decisions on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment and MDGs among others. "All of these provided useful frameworks that are geared towards gender empowerment in all aspects of socio-economic development, particularly entrepreneurship and promotion of agriculture and food security," she said.

She added that The Gambia will earn the respect of being among the first to translate the AU Women's Decade 2010-2020 from being merely a declaration into a decade of fulfilled hopes and opportunities for every woman in The Gambia. She finally applauded all Gambian women for their loyalty and steadfastness and also for taking the giant stride of coming together under one umbrella as part of the women empowerment process.

For her part, Ida Faye-Hydara, the executive director of the Women's Bureau, expounded on the significance of the Federation. She further enlightened the women on how the Federation can generate revenue in the near future with the ultimate view to help them with loans to start their businesses. She also applauded the women of the region for the commitment they have demonstrated during the course of the launching. Ramou Cole-Ceesay, Permanent Secretary No. 2, Office of the Vice President, also expressed similar sentiments.

Alhaji  Omar Khan, the governor of the URR also hailed the women of the region for their contribution to nation building. He told the gathering that the rice cultivated by the women of the region this year was just beyond measure. "If this continues, the region will no longer import rice," he predicted. Other speakers included Bekai Camara, National Assembly member for Wuli East; Aja Neneh Darboe, the councilor for Mansajang Ward; and Hammeh Minteh Krubally, the chief of Fulladu East among others.