He acknowledged the poor level of women participation in the electoral processes in the country, saying: “We want men to also support female candidates who are vying for leadership positions from the Presidency, National Assembly seats and other elected positions in the country.”
Kimaru was speaking recently as the UNDP in collaboration with the National Council for Civic Education NCCE), under its Women Leadership Project (WLP), rolled out capacity building for grassroots women organisations and networks across the regions.
Officials said the initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity of women at the grassroots level, thereby empowering them to mobilise support for aspiring female candidates.
The sensitisation outreach, they went on, will be held in the Upper River, Central River (CRR), and the Lower River Regions (LRR).
The UNDP project manager further added: “Men should also encourage and support the agenda of women. These will go a long way in ensuring that we have more women in the country that will vie for leadership positions.”
For his part, Yusupha Bojang, the chief civic education officer at the NCCE, spoke at length on the significance of the project to Gambian women especially those aspiring to vie for positions in subsequent elections.
Women networking groups, he added, ‘could serve as a ladder for other women especially those at the grassroots level. Some women would want to contest during elections, but their only hindrance is the lack of support from their communities,” claims the civic officer.
He maintained that the project aims at bridging the inequality gap between men and women when it comes to assuming leadership positions in the country.
“This initiative will strengthen the capacity of women at the grassroots level and empower them to mobilize support for aspiring female candidates.”
Hawouly Baldeh, Lady Councillor in the Kantora District, urged women to take active roles in the political process of the country, adding: “Most of the times when men are elected into office, they will forget about the people that campaign for them and even elect them into those positions.”
She stated: “We will fight hard and do everything possible in ensuring that we elect them into office. However, once they are elected, they will forget about the issues affecting us,thus making it difficult for our issues to be heard at the decision making process. Therefore, it is high time we empower our fellow women so that we can be well represented at the decision making process of the country.”
Abdourahman Baldeh, the village alkalo of Fatoto recalled benefiting from similar training, saying: “Such kind of training definitely has helped our people and increased their awareness especially on civic rights and responsibilities among others.”
Kaddy Jabbi, a participant from Nyakoi village in the Wulli West District of URR, challenged her fellow women to come together and support each other during the elections.
Ejatou Jallow, the lady councilor for Basse Ward, vowed to disseminate the knowledge gained to various women groups in her ward.
Mohamadou Minteh Krubally, the Chief of Fulladou, Falladou District, said: “Through this initiative, we aim to create a ripple effect that will not only increase the participation and representation of women in political leadership but also strengthen the overall democratic fabric of our nation. We believe that when women lead, communities thrive.”
