International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to honour women whose work and leadership continue to shape society in meaningful ways. Jabang stands out as a respected leader, educator and advocate for women’s empowerment. Through decades of service in education, governance and literature, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication to advancing social justice, human dignity and equal opportunities for women and girls.
Throughout her career, she has encouraged young girls to pursue education with confidence and ambition, consistently urging women to challenge restrictive social norms, break barriers and uplift one another in the collective struggle for equality. Her life’s work reflects a powerful belief that education, unity and determination can transform communities and empower future generations.
Born and raised in Banjul, Jabang began her academic journey at St. Joseph’s High School after receiving a government scholarship in 1962. She later studied at Fourah Bay College, one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s oldest universities, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in English Language and Literature.
Her commitment to professional development led her to Glasgow Caledonian University, where she obtained qualifications in public and development administration. She also pursued advanced training in public finance at the International Monetary Fund and management studies at the University of Pittsburgh.
Upon returning to The Gambia, she briefly taught at her former school before joining the civil service, where she built an illustrious career spanning more than three decades. Working primarily within the Ministry of Finance and Trade, she played a pivotal role in shaping economic and financial policies, contributing to national budgets and trade strategies.
In the early 1980s, Jabang spearheaded the establishment of the Trade Division and the Metrication Unit at the Ministry of Finance and Trade, becoming the first Under-Secretary and Head of the Trade Division. She coordinated cooperation between The Gambia and the European Economic Community under the Lomé Conventions and provided technical expertise to the Senegambia Confederation’s customs and economic integration initiatives.
Her service extended to other ministries, including Information and Tourism, and Economic Planning and Industrial Development, where she served as Deputy Permanent Secretary. In these roles, she managed regional cooperation initiatives and represented The Gambia at numerous ECOWAS technical meetings and high-level conferences.
From 1992 to 2007, Jabang served as Director General of the Management Development Institute, championing reforms to strengthen managerial capacity in both the public and private sectors. Under her leadership, the institute introduced new diploma and certificate programmes in business studies, banking, management and gender in development, creating vital opportunities for young Gambians, particularly school leavers.
She also played a central role in establishing the University of The Gambia, serving on key committees and governance bodies that helped turn the vision of a national university into reality.
Beyond national service, Jabang represented The Gambia internationally, serving in governance bodies such as the African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development and contributing to initiatives aimed at strengthening African public service systems.
Following her retirement in 2010, she continued contributing to development through consultancy work and as Executive Director of the West African Education Foundation. Alongside her administrative accomplishments, she is also a published poet, literary critic and passionate advocate for gender equality.
As the world reflects on the progress and challenges surrounding women’s rights, the life and achievements of Juka Jabang stand as a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated leadership can have on national development. Her story continues to inspire women and girls across The Gambia to pursue education, leadership and service with courage and determination.
