Dozens of Gambians females and males have taken to the social media to expressed dissatisfaction over the government decision to reduce official working hours for female staff in honour of the Ramadan.
This reduction in the working hours is to help them to go home and prepare ‘iftar’ – meal for breaking of the fast for family.
In a statement signed by F Jawara Permanent Secretary said: “This is to authorise all female civil servants to close work at 1400 [2pm] from Monday to Thursday and adhere to the normal closing time for Friday [12:30pm] in honour of the holy month of Ramadan which officially begins today Tuesday.”
According to the statement, this is to allow female staff to attend to their traditional evening “Iftar” preparations ahead of the breaking of fast.
The statement also asked all government permanent secretaries to transmit the message to their staff.
However, the decision faced a stern backlash among Gambians on social media who denounced the move and described it as imbalance and outrageous.
Oley Dibba-Wada, a top official of the United Democratic Party said: “What women want is to be treated with dignity; have equal merit-based income; salary increase; protection from violence and better healthcare.”
“In addition, the assumption that allowing women to leave the office early to rush home and prepare meals for their families is a favour,” she added.
Lamin Sam Jaiteh also wrote that: “Patriarchy in full swing in The Gambia. Civil service bosses have written to all female government workers to knock off early from work “to attend to their traditional evening ‘Iftar’ preparations”. In essence, a go-home-and-cook-for-your-husband notice.
Mariama Faal described “This is very unfair” adding “Our men should learn how to cook. Is a companionship not slavery?”
Sohna Sallah said: “If that’s the case, then why aren’t women let off at 2pm year-round to go prepare dinner, Iftar is at dinner time nest pas? Women want equality, not tokenism”