Isatou Njie-Saidy

Who is Isatou Njie-Saidy?

Isatou Njie-Saidy is a Gambian politician. She has been Vice President of the Gambia, as well as Secretary of State for Women's Affairs, since 20 March 1997; she is the first Gambian woman to hold the position of Vice President. And one of the first women in West African politics to reach this senior position.

Njie-Saidy was born in Kuntaya, North Bank Division. From September 1983 to December 1989, she was Deputy Executive Secretary of the Women's Bureau, the executive decision-making body of the National Women's Council. Later, under President Yahya Jammeh, she became Minister of Health, Social Welfare and Women's Affairs in July 1996, and then Vice President and Secretary of State for Health, Social Welfare and Women's Affairs on 20 March 1997.

She has spoken and written extensively about women's issues in the Gambia.

She obtained an M.Sc Economics at the University of Swansea. She is married with four children.