Held at Bakadaji Hotel, the two-day event gathered young women in the media across all regions of the country and accorded delegate the opportunity to discuss and address challenges faced by women in the media.
The initiative was being funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-implemented by the Berlin-based r0g Agency for Open Culture and Critical Transformation and the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC).
At the event, Nyima Jadama, YoMIL Project Initiator and Content Lead, described the summit as step forward in realizing their vision to empower young women with the tools, skills, and community to lead boldly.
“In a time where misinformation spreads faster than the truth, and online spaces are both empowering and threatening, media and information literacy is our shield and strength,” she said.
Jadama emphasized that YoMIL’s role as a platform for inclusion, representation, and responsible media engagement.
For his part, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, described the summit as a catalyst for change.
“Today’s event gives us an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in journalism, broadcasters, editors, and storytellers who defy bias and innovate narratives that shape our society.” he said.
He highlighted that the media’s role as a tool for democracy, promoting accountability, transparency, and justice.
Dr. Ceesay also revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen press freedom in the country through policy reviews and expanded training and mentorship programs to encourage gender equity in media leadership roles.
The information minister further reaffirmed government’s commitment to creating a safe and empowering environment for women in journalism.
Hon. Fatou Kinteh, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, passionately advocated for empowering women in leadership and democratic participation.
“Women have transformed communities whenever given the opportunity to serve,” she said, acknowledging the deeply rooted challenges of gender bias and limited resources.
She praised YoMIL for equipping young women with the knowledge, ethics, and confidence to produce impactful, objective, and balanced media content.
Isatou Keita, president of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), reiterated the union’s commitment to amplifying freedom of expression and fostering a diverse media landscape.
She thus lauded YoMIL for equipping young women in the media with literacy grounded in ethics and career resilience, particularly in remote areas.
“We have seen confidence take root and a new generation of journalists not just being trained, but being transformed,” Keita said.
James Badjie, Director of Training at MAJaC, described the project as a tribute to women, who have dared to challenge norms and claim their space in the media.
“Today’s summit is not only a celebration; it is a catalyst. It is a gathering of voices long silenced, ideas long dismissed, and futures too often overlooked.”
