Regional Youth Chairperson for Kanifing Municipality and member of the National Youth Council, Isatou M. Secka, is a young trailblazing youth activist, advocate and humanitarian with a career spanning over two decades.
Secka was elected as Regional Youth Chairperson for Kanifing Municipality Youth Committee and Member of the National Youth Council in 2023.
Her journey in youth and community development began in 2002 through the Gambia Red Cross Society, where her passion for service was ignited.
She made history in 2020 as the first-ever elected female Chairperson on the council of the Gambia National Youth Council.
Prior to this, Secka held various leadership roles within the Kanifing Municipal Youth Committee from 2013 to 2020, rising through the ranks with unmatched dedication.
Secka holds qualifications in Social Work, Information Technology, and Procurement and Supply Management.
She is also a Certified Trainer in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Harmful Traditional Practices, Social and Behavioural Change Communication, Gender and Development, Career Guidance and Counselling, Youth Political Participation, and Election Observation.
Professionally, she serves as the Admin and Finance Assistant at the African Youth Commission (AYC), with over seven years of service.
Her past roles include Procurement Officer at Kanifing Municipal Council and Project Field Coordinator at Innovators Spaces.
Her humanitarian engagements span both national and international youth organizations, where she has volunteered extensively.
As a trained Social Worker with over five years of experience in SGBV case management and counselling, Secka founded and now leads Women and Children Aid The Gambia (WOCAG)-a testament to her lifelong commitment to the welfare of women and children.
Her leadership influence reaches beyond national borders.
She is the President of the West African Network of Young Female Leaders (ROAJELF) – Gambia Chapter and Member of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Women, Peace and Security Steering Committee.
Secka is a member of the B+30 Platform Steering Committee, nominated by UN Women to represent young women in West and Central Africa.
She is known for her resilience, vision and people centred leadership.
Secka has trained and inspired thousands across The Gambia, Africa, and globally on issues such as GBV, climate change, disability rights, entrepreneurship, political participation and migration.
As she transitions from youth work, Secka is preparing to step into the next chapter of her journey - politics, with the same courage, purpose and commitment that has defined her life’s work.
Source: National Youth Council
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