By: Haruna Kuyateh
As part of creating public awareness among District Tribunal Court members, many government officials including Governor Seedy Lamin Bah of Lower River Region, chairperson of Kerewan, Basse, and Mansakonko Area Councils, and the Council of Elders have highly welcomed and appreciated the advocacy caravan program organized by the ActionAid International The Gambia.
The week-long advocacy caravan program was funded by the UN Human Security Fund under the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA).
Delegates in this advocacy caravan program included members of the Rural Women Farmers, National Assembly Members, the Women District Tribunal Court members, Youths, and Civil Society Organisations.
In this weeklong advocacy program, the delegates held radio talk shows at North Bank Community, Brikamaba, and Soma Community Radios of North Bank, Central River, and Lower River Regions including GRTS Sub Station in Basse in Upper River Region.
The radio talk show programs were used to create public awareness of the importance of women’s inclusion in District Tribunal Courts as members.
Speaking in Janjanbureh, Sankulay Kunda, Jarra Sutukung, Jappineh, Somita, and Brikama, Tabu Njie Sarr Women’s Rights and Governance Manager at Action Aid International described the tour as successful.
She noted that all the district chiefs from NBR, URR, CRR, LRR, and WCR openly endorsed the need for women’s inclusion in District Tribunal Courts as members.
She said this will help strengthen and empower women to approach the tribunal, without any inheritance to disclose their problems at matrimonial homes to get positive redress.
Chief Momodou Lamin Baldeh of Lower Fulladou West, AlhajiAnsumana Kanaji Chief of Jarra East, and Famara Jammeh, Senior Court Member of Jappineh and Awa Sisay women leader all described the outreach program as long overdue and expressed confidence that it would make a big difference on women empowerment.
Governor Seedy Lamin Bah of Lower River Region thanked Action Aid and partners for their unflinching support of the women empowerment drive.
He said the move would enhance the effective administration of the traditional justice system and better serve the population of 100,000 inhabitants of LRR.
He noted that the 1997 Constitution strongly guaranteed the protection and safeguarding of the rights of all including women while he assured them of his office support at all times.
Meanwhile, Governor Seedy Bah supported the advocacy with D10,000 while noting that his office will engage the local council to develop a roadmap on payment and review of allowances of tribunal court members.
The Governor used the moment to call on NGOs to support resource mobilization towards payment and capacity enhancement, as he hailed President Adama Barrow and his government for attaching great importance to women’s empowerment and protection against all forms of violence.
Chairman Landing B Sanneh reiterated the LGA’s commitment to serve taxpayers and promised to discuss the matter with executive members of the Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (GALGA) for consideration.
Fanta Kura Mbye of Niamina East and Marie Darboe of Niamina Dankunku both district tribunal court members noted that their inclusion encouraged women to come forward and log complaints.
They called on the remaining 35 districts to support this initiative, as it contributes to peace-building initiatives.
Fatou Trawally, Secretary, and Kumba Sanyang, Vice President of Rural Women Assembly, Alkalo Sarjo Badjie of Somita, Jariatou Camara, and other delegates made meaningful contributions during this advocacy program.
The meetings were attended by Chief George L Sonko of Lower Nuimi, Fabala Fadia Kinteh of Lower Badibou, Chief AlhMustapha Dibba of Upper Badibou, Chief Momodou Bah of Wuli West, Chief Ebrima Juwara of Wuli East, Momodou LaminBaldeh of Lower Fulladou West and Chief.