Gambia

Like many African states south of the Sahara, Gambia as a country was created by the slave trade and colonialism. The Portuguese seafarers who found the Gambia River in 1455 were soon followed by the British, French, and Dutch. The first trade goods were gold and ivory, but soon they turned to the more lucrative slave trade. In the fighting among the Europeans to seize control of the slave trade, the British emerged victorious.
The Gambia River became an efficient transport route, controlled by the British. Otherwise, the country hardly developed at all. In 1970 there was just one school, one hospital, and not a single paved road outside the capital.
Gambia became independent in 1965 and was called Senegambia during a short-lived federation with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. From independence until a bloodless military coup in 1994, Gambia was dominated by one political party, the People’s Progressive Party. Gambia returned to civilian rule in 1996.
Poverty is still widespread in the country. Half of the adult population can neither read nor write. The worst conditions are in the countryside, especially for women. Unemployment is high and according to the United Nations Development Program the number of those living on less than one dollar a day continues to rise.
There is great dependence on development assistance. The most important sources of income are peanuts and tourism. Many Gambians live outside the country’s borders and the money they send home to their families is very important for their subsistence.
In September 2006 Yahya Jammeh overwhelmingly won this third presidential election. Media and election observers reported that the governing party and the president had used the machinery of government to unfair advantage. President Jammeh has been in power since he led a military coup in 1994.
Analysis
In a region characterised by violent civil wars, Gambia is relatively stable and democratic. By African standards civil society is rather well developed. The trade union movement has a relatively long tradition, but is divided. There are three dominant federations and several independent trade unions. The justice system is independent and human rights are guaranteed in theory. In reality there are violations and excesses, against both the media and the opposition.
With around 100,000 visitors a year, tourism has a major importance for the economy, bringing in foreign currency and providing employment. But its negative aspects include prostitution, drug abuse, the sexual exploitation of children, and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Dependence on a single crop, peanuts, means that price variations on the world market can quickly influence incomes.
In Gambia only one out of four women can read and write, compared to 40% of the men, an imbalance which puts women at a severe disadvantage. Education is an important tool to increase participation by women, and their ability to support themselves, and at the same time spread knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other health issues.
Development Co-operation
There have long been good relations between Gambia and the Swedish labour movement. Through support and cooperation with organisations, and building on existing networks close to the democratic opposition, the Palme Center and its member organisations contribute towards strengthening democracy there.
Verdandi has, since the 1980’s, successfully carried out projects in education to strengthen civil society. In cooperation with the Women’s Organisation for Democracy and Development (WODD) there are courses for study circle leaders. The goal is for the circle leaders to head literacy campaigns around the country.
The Social Democratic women’s organisation in the province of Jämtland also works with WODD. The aim is to strengthen the organisation as well as to help increase the number of members. The longterm goal is to strengthen the participation of women in society and to increase gender equality in Gambia within all areas, from politics, the economy and health to education, the legal system, and culture, as well as within the family.