A specific law is currently being developed. It only exists in draft version.
The Criminal Code and the Public Health Act provide provisions to make the wilfull transmission of disease an offence. HIV may then fall in the category of diseases.
Only draft version at the moment.
The Act has being reviewed and validated by CSOs, the public and private sector, and most recently by the members of the Gambian National Assembly.
It was also forwarded to UNAIDS country and regional offices in Banjul and Dakar for their inputs.
The draft document placed a lot focus on gender and other cross-cutting issues such as poverty etc.
High risk groups such as sex-workers, long distance truck drivers and MSM were also catered for in the draft document.
A cabinet paper will be prepared and present to the Cabinet for their endorsement and finally sent to the National Assembly for promulgation.
A few cases are reported of MSM being arrested and charged but later on the charges where dropped. Sexworkers are frequently arrested and released but not really prosecuted.
These specific cases have no link with the individuals' HIV status.
UNAIDS is currently undertaking a study on the related stigma and discrimination and the finding of this study will help document the existence of the various form of stigma and discrimination manifested in the Gambia. This report will be shared once finalized. Also, UNAIDS is currently supporting the development of a model law on AIDS and this process is at an advanced stage.
UNAIDS Country Office
Nuha Ceesy
Cape point
The Gambia
(+220) 7799991
nceesay@undp.org
SWAGAM
Ahmed Jeagan Loum
Banjul
The Gambia
(+220) 9900254
nasogam@yahoo.com / ajloum@yahoo.com
NAS
Alieu Jammeh
nas@qanet.gm
NASO
Lum Jeagan
Nasogam1@yahoo.com
Gamnass
Fatima Gaye
gamnassthegambia@yahoo.com
There are no restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS. There are no specific legal regulations concerning people with AIDS.
Neither a medical certificate nor an HIV test result is required when entering the country. Foreigners with a known HIV infection are not subject to specific residence regulations. There are no regulations regarding the control, deportation or expulsion of those concerned.
To enter the Gambia, the following vaccinations are mandatory: yellow fever, cholera and meningitis.
Antiretroviral medication can be carried for personal use.
For updated information, please go to: www.hivrestrictions.org
Male to Male relationships: Not Legal
Female to Female Relationships: Not Legal
Marriage and Substitutes for Marriage: No law
For updated information, please go to: http://ilga.org
No