The event, staged at the Arch 22, now renamed the Never Again Memorial Arch, drew a vibrant crowd of participants, advocates, and senior government officials, all united in their commitment to championing inclusion and acceptance.
Abdul Majid Jallow, National Coordinator for GASAN, addressed attendees with a message of unity and purpose. “Our mandate as an organisation remains clear,” he said. “We have a genuine desire to ensure every autistic individual within The Gambia is not only heard, but accepted, embraced, and supported.”
Also in attendance was the Honourable Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister for Youth and Sports, who commended the initiative and called for greater societal acceptance of individuals with autism. “It is unfortunate that in The Gambia, people often regard autistic individuals as unable,” he remarked. “Yet they can be intelligent and contribute meaningfully to society when fully embraced and integrated.”
Minister Badjie reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting autism-related initiatives and pledged continued collaboration with organisations like GASAN to promote inclusive policies and programmes.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants in both the walk and run segments, celebrating their involvement and solidarity. The landmark initiative underscored GASAN’s enduring commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and the creation of a more compassionate and tolerant society for all Gambians living with autism.
