NHRC Launches Capacity-Building Workshop to Empower National Disability Advisory Council

Group Photo of NHRC Workshop © NHRC

By Fatoumata Jaiteh

In a bold step to reinforce its commitment to human rights, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has launched a transformative training initiative to strengthen the leadership and impact of the National Disability Advisory Council (NDAC).

The two-day workshop, held at the Senegambia Beach Hotel on 14th May 2025, was organised by the NHRC in partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), under the broader United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD). The training aims to build the capacity of NDAC members to effectively monitor, report on, and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities in alignment with international standards.

Opening the event, NHRC Chairperson Emmanuel D. Joof called on stakeholders to move from policy promises to tangible progress.

“It’s time to turn commitments into action,” he emphasized. “Our laws, including the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2021, must be more than words on paper—they must deliver results.”

The training is designed to equip NDAC to operate independently as a national monitoring mechanism under Article 33 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Participants are being trained in policy analysis, legal oversight, and community engagement—essential tools to help amplify the voices of persons with disabilities nationwide.

Magistrate Muhammed Krubally, Chairperson of NDAC, underscored the importance of capacity-building:

“Many of our members are deeply committed, but lack formal training. This program is vital for us to carry out our mandate effectively and protect the dignity of those we serve.”

UNICEF Country Representative Nafisa Binte Shafique acknowledged The Gambia’s legal progress but emphasised the need for action:

“Recognition alone is not enough. We must translate laws into real improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.”

In a related announcement, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare revealed a D4 million investment in the National Disability Fund. Deputy Permanent Secretary Ismaila Danso stressed the importance of collaboration:

“Inclusive development requires collective effort. We must continue working hand in hand with the Federation of Persons with Disability to ensure no one is left behind.”

This training marks a significant chapter in The Gambia’s journey toward disability rights—one that champions empowerment, accountability, and sustainable change.