The training held at the Regional Forestry Directorate Conference Hall in Janjanbureh was aimed at equipping women to ensure they take part in decision making, speak out, and participate in nation development.
Amadou W. Jallow, communication coordinator for ActionAid International The Gambia stated that women leadership is crucial in nation building.
He also highlighted the importance of women political participation, noting that women should therefore be empowered.
According to him, to ensure a progressive society, women must be included in decision making processes.
“Women deserve elective position as men in a democracy,” he went on, saying that voices of women are important in nation building.
“Women should have the fundamental rights to vote and to be voted into office. Leadership is not only for men. Empowering women also promote gender equality,” he said.
Lamin Keita, a participant said women's participation in politics is beyond singing, clapping, dancing and cooking for men.
He observed that women and youth form the greater percentage of the voter population in The Gambia, adding that they therefore should have equal rights to leadership positions with men.
He went on to say that when women are given leadership position they handle them with honesty, love and sympathy. “No nation can prosper or progress without the involvement of women,” he said.
