Women empowerment

Generally, women are very important in our society, as they play a key role in the socio- economic development of the society.

It is the women who bear children for us, and mould them to become a better person in society.

However, it has been observed that in many African countries, despite all the good contributions women make, they are still not given their rightful positions in society.

Some people value less their contribution, and only confine them within the house as some African tradition calls for, arguing that married women should only be limited within the house.

Some men have the concept that their wives should not work in an office, for one reason or the other.

It is high time that the role of women is recognized, and they be empowered to enable them take up top positions both in government, and at the community level.

Most of the time in Africa, women are the kingmakers, but at the same time, they are being sidelined in the decision-making processes.

In the Gambia, we are glad that the situation is different compared to other African countries.

Many women are appointed in political positions such as the Vice-President, Speaker of the National Assembly, women parliamentarians and women ministers, all a good example that the Gambia can boast of.

In Liberia, we have President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is a woman. We feel that these are good examples which other African nations should emulate, and learn from, to empower women to take active roles in society.