An interview with WAWA president

In our today’s edition of SHE SHE SHE, we bring you an interview we had with the president of the West African Women Association (WAWA), Madam Mam Sainabou Njie.

Mrs Njie responded to a wide range of issues put across to her regarding WAWA.

Please read:

When was WAWA formed?

It was formed in 2003.

What are the aims and objective of the association?

The objective is to promote the economic status of women in Africa through capacity building of women, income-generating activities and the fight against poverty.

We also aim at promoting health, education and functional literacy, peace and security, environment and climate change, as well as to promote the ideals of the social and cultural council of the African Union.

Who is qualified to be a member?

All women, women organisations, networks or federations of women interested in empowering women in Africa.

The membership is also open to all citizens of the ECOWAS, educated or not but committed to taking part in the struggle for equity and gender equality in West Africa can be a member.

Any sustainable measures put in place by WAWA?

Yes, for the sustainability of the organisation, the West African Youth Association (WAYA) was launched in 2009 to prepare young people, especially women, to exercise leadership on issues facing African youth.

These youth will later take over the activism that triggered women emancipation in Africa through the development and professionalization of women associations as WAWA, the parent organisation of WAYA.

What are some of your future plans?

Well, we are looking forward at collaborating with regional bodies to actively participate in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) including the MDG3 covered by the integration process AFAO-WAWA which are available for ECOWAS. This will extend the latter’s integration tools.

Also, among the population and the priority of WAWA is to carry out an IEC campaign for a single ECOWAS passport and application of the treaty rights to free movement of persons and property, establishment and settlement.

We are equally interested in IEC field campaigns on intra-border conflicts.

When were you elected as the president of WAWA in The Gambia?

It was in the year 2005.

Thank you for granting us this interview.

It’s my pleasure.