Fatou Geo Barry

Seconded to the ECOWAS Commission, supporting regional implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol and related migration policy processes across West Africa. Provides policy and technical inputs on migration governance, labour mobility, border management, and climate-related human mobility.

Develop and facilitate safe space sessions for teenage girls and mothers on identity, peer pressure, emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, resilience, decision-making, and parent-adolescent communication. Use culturally sensitive and values-based approaches to create dialogue around adolescent experiences.

Provided board-level leadership for community-based mental health and wellbeing initiatives supporting young people, women, and vulnerable groups. Contributed to programme concepts, funding proposals, stakeholder engagement, and referral of individuals requiring specialised support.

Led national implementation of the PROMIS project in The Gambia, translating programme objectives into work plans, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building. Provided legal, policy, and technical support on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, with focus on protection and gender-based violence.

Led academic, administrative, and safeguarding functions, supervised multidisciplinary staff, and worked closely with parents and the wider school community. Developed safeguarding and child protection procedures and strengthened early identification and support for vulnerable children.

Conducted legal and policy research for constitutional reform, with particular attention to the rights of women and children, and supported analytical submissions to the Constitutional Review Commission.

Reviewed legal, policy, and administrative frameworks affecting nationality and statelessness, conducted stakeholder interviews, identified protection gaps, and contributed evidence-based recommendations on nationality and inclusion.

Established and managed the Consumer Protection Unit, handled complaints, provided legal and procedural guidance, drafted procedural rules, and coordinated public awareness and stakeholder engagement.

Provided legal research and advisory support on employment, commercial, compliance, and contractual matters.

Reviewed domestic violence laws and policies against international standards and prepared recommendations for community-level prevention and protection work.

Provided direct protection assistance, legal counselling, and confidential case management to refugees and other persons of concern, including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and children at risk. Conducted protection monitoring, registration, and RSD-related work, and supported durable solutions.

Conducted legal research on national compliance with international tobacco control frameworks and prepared analytical findings on policy and regulatory gaps.

Master of Laws (LLM) in International Business Law from the University of Leeds, completed in 2006.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Law with Information Technology from Leeds Metropolitan University, completed in 2004.