A new report by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions on core labour standards in Gambia, produced to coincide with the trade policy review of Gambia at the WTO, criticises Gambia's lack of compliance with the eight ILO conventions known as "Core Labour Standards". The report notes legal restrictions on the right to organise and, furthermore, that civil servants cannot exercise this right. The Labour Act imposes general restrictions on the right to strike, and civil service employees are completely denied the right to strike. More than half the workforce is employed in the informal economy, depriving workers of necessary protections and making existing legislation hard to enforce.

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, says it is "deeply concerned" over the safety of Alagi Yorro Jallow, managing editor of the private, bi-weekly Independent newspaper. According to information before IPI, Yorro Jallow received a letter, dated 13 January 2004, in which a previously unknown group called the "Green Boys" threatened to "eliminate" him if the Independent continued to publish stories about Baba Jobe, majority leader in the National Assembly.

Satou carefully takes a pen in her hand, concentrates hard and slowly writes her name on a piece of paper. The group of colourfully dressed women bursts into applause and cheers. Satou lowers her eyes and smiles shyly, but her pride, confidence and self-esteem shine through. Satou is one of many illiterate and formerly illiterate women in the Mamudfana village Mothers' Club in The Gambia. They are coming together, with the support of UNICEF, to break down the barriers to education, including poverty, traditional customs such as early marriage and a resistance to educating girls.