Video: Gambia Immigration unveils maternity uniform for pregnant officers in push for gender inclusion

• The Gambia Immigration Department introduced a maternity uniform for pregnant officers.

• The outfit is designed to improve comfort while allowing officers to remain in official service.

• The move highlights growing efforts to promote gender inclusion in uniformed institutions.

• Details on full implementation and the number of beneficiaries have not been disclosed.

The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has unveiled a maternity uniform designed for pregnant female officers, a move aimed at improving comfort, dignity and inclusiveness within the country’s immigration service.

Photos showing the new maternity outfit have circulated online, attracting attention for highlighting efforts to make uniformed services more accommodating for women during pregnancy.

The specially designed uniform allows pregnant officers to continue carrying out their official duties while wearing attire adapted to their changing body needs during pregnancy.

The initiative reflects growing conversations around gender inclusion in security and immigration institutions, where female officers have increasingly called for workplace policies and facilities that recognise their specific needs.

Unlike traditional uniforms that may become uncomfortable during pregnancy, maternity uniforms are designed to provide better flexibility and comfort while maintaining the professional appearance associated with immigration personnel.

The Gambia Immigration Department has not indicated that the initiative changes the responsibilities or standards expected of officers, but it represents an effort to support female personnel while they remain active in service.

The move comes as security and law enforcement agencies across different countries continue to review policies affecting women in uniform, including maternity support, workplace accommodation and career progression.

In recent years, several African security institutions have introduced or considered maternity-friendly measures as more women take up roles traditionally dominated by men.

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The introduction of the maternity uniform has been welcomed by many as a step towards creating a more inclusive working environment for women serving in national security institutions.

However, details about when the uniforms will become fully available, the number of officers expected to benefit and whether the programme will be expanded across all units of the immigration service were not immediately available.

The Gambia Immigration Department is responsible for managing the country’s borders, immigration control, travel documentation and other related services.