Madam Jorr Jobe, an official of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has revealed that more than 440 women and children departed irregularly through The Gambia’s coastal routes between November and December.
She made the disclosure on Monday, July 6, 2026, during her presentation to members of the ECOWAS Parliament at the opening of a citizen engagement forum on irregular migration and trafficking in persons.
The Gambia as a Transit Hub
Jobe noted that The Gambia is increasingly emerging as a regional transit hub, with growing use of its coastal communities as departure points along the West African Atlantic Route. She explained that the share of non-Gambian migrants rose sharply in 2025, with Senegalese, Malians, Nigerians, and other West African nationals among those traveling.
Rising Numbers of Women and Children
Although men remain the majority of migrants—constituting between 83 and 92 percent of travelers—Jobe stressed that the number of women and children is steadily increasing. “Women and children now account for 10 to 15 percent of all departures. More than 440 left during November–December alone,” she told the Parliament.
Protection Concerns
She warned that the shift from single male migration to family-linked movements has heightened protection risks, including exploitation, abuse, family separation, and trauma. These dangers are worsened by overcrowded and unsafe vessels, with migrants often deceived, abandoned, extorted, or stranded by smuggling networks.
Changing Departure Points
Jobe also reported a southward shift in departure locations, as smugglers adapt to tighter law enforcement in traditional hotspots. She cited Jinack Island in the North Bank Region as a key departure point, describing it as isolated and difficult for security forces to access.
“Migrants often receive only partial information about routes and departure times. Boats are anchored offshore, and small canoes are used to transfer migrants from the shore to the larger vessels,” she explained.
Her remarks underscored the growing complexity of irregular migration patterns in The Gambia and the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation to protect vulnerable groups.
