For Njilan, International Women’s Day represents both celebration and reflection. While acknowledging the progress women have made across different sectors, she believes the day also reminds society that much more needs to be done to achieve full gender equality.
“International Women’s Day is both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work that still lies ahead,” she explained. “It is an opportunity to recognise the contributions of women across all sectors while reflecting on the barriers that many women still face.”
Globally, she notes, reports continue to show that gender equality remains a long journey. According to global studies on gender parity, economic participation remains one of the slowest areas of progress, demonstrating that many women still face structural challenges in accessing leadership opportunities and economic resources.
For Senghore, however, the day is also deeply personal. It is a time to reflect on the people who helped shape her journey and the support systems that made it possible for her to rise to one of the most influential positions in the country’s banking industry.
“I reflect with gratitude on the women who supported my journey from teachers who believed in my potential to family members who helped me balance motherhood and a demanding career,” she said.
Her rise to the top of the banking industry is an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication. Yet like many women in leadership, Senghore acknowledges that the journey was not without challenges. Balancing a professional career with family life was one of the most significant hurdles she faced while climbing the corporate ladder.
As a wife and mother, she had to navigate the demands of long working hours, professional responsibilities and family commitments. She credits the strong support system around her, particularly her mother and sister, for helping her manage these responsibilities during critical stages of her career.
“Family support played a crucial role in my journey,” she noted. “There were times when work required long hours or travel, and my mother and sister stepped in to help care for my children. That support made it possible for me to remain committed to both my career and my family.”
Despite the challenges, Senghore has always been intentional about maintaining a healthy balance between professional ambition and family responsibilities.
“Balance does not always mean equal time,” she explained. “It means understanding priorities. Sometimes work requires more attention, and sometimes family comes first.”
Another challenge she encountered earlier in her career was navigating professional environments where women were often underrepresented. In some situations, she found herself as the only woman in the room during important discussions and decision-making processes.
“In the earlier years of my career, there were moments when women were sometimes overlooked in discussions or informally expected to organise tea or coffee while the real decisions were being made,” she recalled.
Such experiences were not easy, but they ultimately strengthened her resilience and determination. Over time, she learned how to assert herself confidently while also understanding the importance of emotional intelligence and strategic communication in leadership.
“Competence and consistency helped me earn respect,” she stated. “Leadership requires confidence, but it also requires understanding how to communicate effectively and navigate different environments.”
Today, as the Managing Director of Trust Bank PLC, Senghore believes that women’s leadership is essential in shaping the future of banking and finance. Financial institutions, she argues, serve diverse communities and should therefore reflect that diversity within their leadership structures.
“Women leaders bring valuable perspectives on household financial management, entrepreneurship and community economic realities,” she explained. “These perspectives can help financial institutions design more inclusive financial products and services.”
Research also shows that organisations with diverse leadership teams often make stronger decisions and perform better overall. For Senghore, increasing the number of women in leadership is therefore not only about fairness but also about building stronger and more effective institutions.
Beyond leadership representation, she emphasised the critical role financial institutions play in empowering women economically, particularly women entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers facing women in business. Many women struggle to secure loans, capital or financial support needed to expand their enterprises. Senghore believes banks have an important responsibility to address these challenges through inclusive policies and innovative financial solutions.
“Financial institutions can support women entrepreneurs by providing tailored financial products, financial literacy programmes and opportunities that help women-owned businesses grow,” she said.
At the same time, she stressed that economic empowerment must also take into account the realities many women face in balancing professional and domestic responsibilities.
Workplace initiatives such as childcare facilities or flexible work arrangements, she noted, can make a significant difference for working mothers who may not have extended family support.
Further, Senghore believes that empowering women cannot be achieved by workplace policies alone. It also requires a shift in societal attitudes regarding shared responsibilities within families.
“As women increasingly contribute financially to their households, domestic responsibilities and childcare should also be shared more fairly,” she said. “Supporting women’s careers ultimately benefits families, institutions and the broader economy.”
Within Trust Bank PLC, Senghore says the institution remains committed to promoting merit, professional growth and equal opportunity for its employees. The bank continues to invest heavily in staff training and development to ensure employees have the skills needed to grow professionally.
Women across the institution occupy important roles in various departments, and Senghore believes creating a supportive and inclusive work environment is essential for enabling both men and women to reach their full potential.
Through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, the bank also contributes to community development efforts, particularly in areas such as education, health and social programmes that benefit families and communities across the country.
For young women and girls who aspire to pursue careers in banking, finance and leadership, Senghore offers a message of encouragement rooted in discipline and self-belief.
“My advice to young women is to take their education seriously, remain disciplined and believe in their potential,” she said.
Leadership journeys, she emphasised, are rarely easy. They require persistence, resilience and a willingness to keep learning even in the face of setbacks.
“Seek mentors, remain curious and continue learning throughout your career,” she advised.
One principle she often shares with young girls is the importance of purpose.
“If your ‘why’ is strong enough, you will always find your ‘how’,” she said. “When your purpose is clear, challenges become obstacles to navigate rather than reasons to give up.”
Looking ahead, Senghore envisions a future where more women in The Gambia participate fully in the country’s economic development as entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders.
Achieving this vision, she says, will require expanding financial inclusion, strengthening support for women-owned businesses and addressing structural challenges that limit women’s participation in the workforce.
Partnerships between financial institutions, government and development organisations, she believes, will play a key role in creating an environment where women can succeed economically.
“When women are empowered economically, the benefits extend beyond individuals to families, communities and the entire national economy,” she said.
As International Women’s Day approaches, Senghore’s journey from a determined young student to the leader of one of the country’s leading financial institutions stands as a powerful example of what is possible when talent, discipline and opportunity come together.
Her story reflects the progress women have made in breaking barriers within traditionally male-dominated sectors. At the same time, it highlights the importance of continuing efforts to create fair opportunities and supportive systems that enable more women to thrive.
For Senghore, the message to the next generation of girls is clear: leadership is achievable.
With determination, education, resilience and the right support systems, women can rise to positions where they influence decisions, shape institutions and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and their country.
And ultimately, as she believes, when women succeed, entire societies move forward.
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