On a grand event in the NBR, women shared their predicaments and pleaded assistance to the mayor who doubles as the president of REFELA.
Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe applauded all the women in the rural areas for their tireless efforts in making sure they brought sustainability to their families.
She said REFELA was always there to help women and children, especially on the campaign of “zero tolerance of children on the street”.
She said women's contributions to their communities especially in nation building speak louder, adding that she was aware of the difficulties women go through and called on everyone to support women and fight for children who loiter on the streets begging.
REFELA's president further pointed out her commitment to providing support through REFELA and assured of increased opportunities for women and their families and taking away the struggles they were face, adding that REFELA’s motive was not politically motivated. “We want to empower women to be aware in all walks of life they may find themselves and their children,” she stated.
In her statement, Ya Mundow Sarr, hailed Mayor Lowe for her tireless efforts in making sure rural women were able to sustain their livelihoods with their families.
She, however, pointed out that the community needed a hospital and an ambulance. She said women find it hard to get to the hospital in Essau, especially pregnant women. “One could lose her life on the way,” she pointed out, adding that the Essau Hospital is kilometers away and it’s a very big challenge for them.
Reacting to that, the REFELA President said that building hospitals, providing ambulances, markets, and education for children is the responsibility of the government, but, noted that REFELA was ready to help in any aspect they could.
The women also pleaded to have farming machines and gardens in their community, adding that they had one given to them by the alkalo but it was not fenced. “We stay in that garden until late hours to prevent animals destroying our crops”, said Sarjo Sowe, a gardener said.
