TANGO Concludes Four-Day Women in Leadership Training in Basse

Workshop in Basse

By Haddy Ceesay

The Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Gambia (TANGO) and its partners, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), conducted a four-day training on advocacy for Women's Political Participation and Leadership in Basse. The program aimed to train women in traditional communities, media personnel, and community members to promote women's leadership at all levels through creative art and performances in traditional occasions and festivals.

The training started on 14th October and concluded on Thursday 17th October 2024.

Leadership and political participation of women are limited from the local level to the global level. Women are underrepresented as voters and in leading positions, whether in elected office, the civil service, the private sector, or academia. There are currently only five female National Assembly members and fewer in Cabinet. This happens despite their demonstrated abilities as leaders and agents of change, and their right to participate equally.

Lead Trainer, Bai Emile Touray who is a veteran journalist coordinated the activities which took place in Bassse, Upper River Region (URR). During his presentation, he highlighted some key points for consideration by the delegates. According to Mr Touray, political parties should inculcate democratic values amongst their members. “Political parties should encourage their members to engage in issue-based politics, and shun politics of character assassination and insults. This will encourage women to contest for political positions”, he said.

Dialogue at Training Session

Discussing with traditional communicators and media personnel, another trainer, Ms Awa Ceesay said women should have confidence in themself, because many men nowadays don’t support women in leadership doesn’t mean they can stop women to lead. “Many women have interest in politics, leadership etc, but the problem is lack of confidence, and thinking about what people will say and the stigma. But women should be bold enough to lead, they have  the capabilities and the determination to be leaders if they really show interest” enthused Ms Ceesay.

Ms Mariama Trawally a participant for the training noted that education for women is important to improve their standing in society, “but many of them don’t know the importance of girl’s education. We think that a woman should only be a house wife that’s where the problem starts. It’s is high time we start educating our girl child. That’s the only way we can change the narrative that women can’t be leaders”.

Mr Mawdo Sissaho, also a participant said the Government should empower women through the constitution. In his view this is the only way to make progress in this regard. “If not we will keep on training on the advocacy for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership but the system will never change. Let the Government start empowering women and see what will happen, women will be leading and we will have a female President in the future,” said Mawdo.

The four day event also featured entertainment such as dancing and singing by community communicators, and a drama performance by the Basse Youth Community Drama Group, focusing on women participation in leadership.