“Changing the minds of many women to understand that we are the kingmakers is a big achievement,” she declares with conviction in an exclusive interview with The Point’s Women & Society columnist Isatou Ceesay-Bah.
The BCC Mayor has emerged a trailblazer in Gambian politics, making history as the first female Mayor of Banjul, the nation’s capital. First elected in May 2018, she secured a second term in the hotly contested May 2023 elections, reaffirming her leadership and the trust placed in her by the people of Banjul.
Before entering public service, Mayor Lowe had built a successful career in the tourism sector, running businesses across several African cities. Her entrepreneurial background equipped her with practical insights into economic development, which she now applies to her political leadership. Empowering women and youth through skills development and entrepreneurship has remained a central pillar of her administration.
Under her leadership, Banjul has undergone significant transformations, particularly in waste management and infrastructure modernization. Her administration spearheaded the “Greening the City Center of Banjul” initiative, planting trees to combat climate change and coastal erosion while creating a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment.
As a passionate advocate for gender equality, Mayor Lowe founded the Rohey Malick Lowe Women and Girls Empowerment Initiative, promoting women’s financial independence and youth capacity-building. Her advocacy extends beyond Banjul, as she has toured rural Gambia to campaign against violence against women, support women’s leadership, and promote zero tolerance for child streetism. Her administration’s microfinance and “Water for Women” projects have brought tangible economic relief to women in remote areas.
On the global stage, Mayor Lowe’s influence continues to grow. She serves as the 2nd Vice Chairperson of the Global Parliament of Mayors, President of the Network of Local Elected Women in Africa (REFELA), and the 2nd Vice President of The Gambia’s United Democratic Party (UDP). She is also a member of the Standing Committee on Gender Equality of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).
Highlighting REFELA’s progress, Mayor Lowe proudly noted that the organization now boasts 730,000 members, with 10% being male champions under the “He for She” chapter, led by Omar Touray.
Through her dynamic leadership, Mayor Lowe continues to inspire a new generation of women and youth, redefining possibilities for women in leadership in The Gambia and beyond.
