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Gambia: Mrs Bidwell - 'Unsung Heroine'

The forum on the participation of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) at the Coconut Groove in Accra, Ghana, paid tribute to Belinda Bidwell, ex-Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, who passed away in April.

The well-attended forum which brought together human rights NGOs in Africa and representatives of inter-state bodies, including those in the United States, Denmark, Brazil, UK, Canada, and France, remembered Mrs Bidwell as an "unsung heroine" who tremendously contributed to the human rights movement, especially on issues of women's rights.

Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Mabassa Fall, Governing Council and Member of the African Centre on Democracy and Human Studies, described the late ex-Gambian National Assembly Speaker as a dedicated woman who championed women's cause in Africa. He said the human rights bloc value Mrs Bidwell a lot for her role in the promotion and ratification of human rights instrument.

He told the delegates that the late Mrs Bidwell was instrumental in persuading the then members of the second legislature of The Gambia to scrap the reservations on the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa. "It was her personal role to lobby from her fellow colleagues that led to The Gambia's Parliament to ratify the protocol without reservation. She did this quietly and amicably," he credited the late ex-Speaker.

He then added: "I personally met her during the human rights forums in Banjul. As an educationist, she taught me a lot. We will miss her in our midst. She had worked for Africa, The Gambia and women".

Mr Fall then paid tribute to Mrs Bidwell for her indelible legacy, adding that she would be remembered by the exemplary trails she had left. He called on Gambians to remember the late ex-Gambian Speaker.

There has been a ceaseless downpour of tributes on the demise of Mrs Bidwell. She is being remembered for her achievements and contributions towards correcting the wrongs in our governance system through the cause of human rights. It is therefore hopeful that human rights activists and the new converts to the cause of human dignity will emulate her achievements.