Shape International

22 to 26 September 2025 – A comprehensive data collection guide developed to support the implementation of the Disability Inclusive Pathways: Empowering Children with Disabilities Through Education, Technology and Play project in The Gambia was unveiled during EU funded project training facilitated by CRS in collaboration with the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD). Mohammed Jebou, Lead Researcher presenting during Enumerators’ training organised by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), funded by the European Union (EU) said the guide outlines the methodology and tools that will be used to conduct a census across 12 project schools. The project is part of ongoing efforts to promote inclusive education through evidence-based assessment. Mr Jebou explained that the guide recommends a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, classroom and school environment observations, focus group discussions with students, and interviews with parents, teachers, and Parent-Teacher Association rep...

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has begun training enumerators as part of its new project, “Disability Inclusive Pathways: Empowering Children with Disabilities Through Education, Technology and Play”. The training focuses on equipping data collectors to conduct a comprehensive Gender and Disability Audit and baseline survey in schools. CRS said the audit is a multidimensional, structured, and participatory assessment that measures how institutions address gender equality and disability inclusion in policies, programs, budgets, and practices. The exercise will help identify gaps, document good practices, and generate recommendations to improve inclusivity in The Gambia’s education system. The audit will assess issues such as gender-sensitive teaching methods, school infrastructure, physical accessibility, use of assistive devices, and attitudes toward people with disabilities. It will also examine challenges such as gender-based violence in schools, biases in classro...

Made in Gambia – Building a Creative, Sustainable Future ; – Driving Jobs, Exports, and National Pride The Gambia’s *Made in Gambia* brand is gaining momentum, thanks to the EU-funded **Youth Empowerment Project (YEP)** and the International Trade Centre (ITC). The initiative is designed to strengthen local industries, boost exports, and make Gambian products more competitive at home and abroad. At a week-long workshop in Banjul (September 16–23, 2025), ITC consultant **Dev Chamroo** outlined five strategic priorities for the initiative: improving laws and regulations, creating an enabling business climate, expanding market access, driving advocacy campaigns, and mainstreaming ICT. Target sectors include agro-processing (cereals, beverages, spices), creative industries (fashion, music, film, textiles), and services such as tourism, fintech, and e-commerce. Women, youth, and SMEs are at the heart of the project. “With the right collaboration and supportive policies, the *Made in ...

Farafenni – Mr. Lamin Fatajo, retired director from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, delivered a compelling presentation emphasising the critical importance of disability inclusion in national policies and strategies. He highlighted that disability inclusion means intentionally integrating the needs and perspectives of persons with disabilities in policy design, implementation, and evaluation to ensure equitable access to education, employment, healthcare, and civic participation. Mr. Fatajo's mde these remarks while presenting a paper on Disability Inclusion in Policies and Strategies during a multi stakeholders forum on the inclusion of persons with disabilities into policies held at the Wallimann Hotel in Farafenni, North Bank Region, from 21 to 22 August 2025. Mr. Fatajo outlined three key models of disability, namely - The Charity Model, criticized for promoting dependency; The Medical Model, which overlooks social barriers; and The Social Model, advocating ba...

Farafenni, North Bank Region – The Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), in partnership with ChildFund The Gambia, convened a two-day forum on August 21-22, 2025 at Wallymann Hotel to review and advance disability rights, focusing on policy gaps and legislative reforms. The forum brought together government officials, community leaders, disability advocates, and policy experts, including the Alkalo and District Chief of Farafenni. It was moderated by Mr. Sainey Camara, Executive Director of GFD, with participation from Mr. Sunkung Danso of ChildFund The Gambia. In his keynote address, His Worship Muhammed Krubally, Chairperson of GFD and Principal Magistrate of Banjul Magistrate’s Court, stated: "Our principles must be explained, respected, promoted, and protected. They cannot be compromised." He emphasized the need to align the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021 with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to ensure comprehensive i...