By: Binta Jaiteh
Women have played a vital and multifaceted role in both colonial and post-independence Gambian societies. During the colonial period, they were central to the economic and social fabric of their communities, managing domestic responsibilities, agriculture, and trade. Women were crucial players in the informal economy, engaging in market activities that helped sustain families and communities, despite colonial economic policies that marginalized local enterprises. They also supported the resistance movements against colonial rule, with several women in Gambian society contributing significantly to the struggle.
In the post-independence era, Gambian women, like their counterparts across Africa, became increasingly involved in nation-building, social movements, and the fight for gender equality. They supported democratic governance by helping elect rightful leaders, advocated for the improvement of their communities, and continued to push for greater opportunities for women. However, despite these contributions, they still faced systemic challenges, including limited access to political power and economic resources.
Despite these obstacles, women in post-independence Gambia have remained crucial to the country’s development. They have participated in government, civil society organizations, and grassroots movements, demanding greater representation and empowerment, while navigating both traditional and modern societal constraints.
As the Gambia celebrated its Diamond Jubilee, marking six decades of independence, historian Hassoum Ceesay and Banjul South lawmaker Fatoumata Njie highlighted the pivotal role women played in both the pre-colonial and post-independence eras.
Historian Ceesay emphasized the significant role of the Nyansibaa in pre-colonial Gambia. “The Nyansibaa served as healers, mediators, and advisers within society. The ‘Linguire’ (Queen Mother) was very powerful in those days. The Bajen, too, were authoritative and powerful at the family level,” he noted.
When colonial rule arrived, Ceesay explained, the British imposed anti-women laws that oppressed Gambian women. He pointed out that women in the UK didn’t gain the right to vote until the 1940s, and the colonial laws that restricted women’s rights in Gambia were borrowed from Britain. “Under colonial rule, women faced significant oppression because of these imported laws. However, many women, such as Rosamond Folis and Hannah Foster, became qualified teachers and nurses, playing a critical role in the fight for independence,” he explained.
Ceesay also acknowledged Lady Hannah Jawara, the first wife of the late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who played a key role in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). “After independence, women began to sit in parliament. Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang, for example, became a parliamentarian in 1982, and Louis Njie served as Minister of Health in 1987 after also holding the position of Minister of Education,” he added. “This demonstrates that women have played an important role in Gambia’s evolution.”
Honourable Fatoumata Njie, the National Assembly Member for Banjul South, underscored the crucial role women played in achieving Gambia’s independence. “This is personal to me due to my family’s political history. I was born politically motivated,” she said. “Women contributed significantly to Gambia’s independence. The late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara was a founding father of our independence. He played an instrumental role in negotiating our independence with the UK.”
Njie recalled Kairaba’s leadership during both the 1965 and 1970s referendums, noting his democratic values. “When the first referendum didn’t give us a clear majority to become a republic, Kairaba didn’t manipulate the results despite his political influence. He insisted on holding a second referendum in 1970, which led to Gambia’s full independence,” she explained.
Reflecting on her own political career, Honourable Njie stated, “I’ve served as a representative and won two elections. Even though ex-President Jammeh was a dictator, he promoted women’s representation and initiated several women empowerment projects. He was also the first to support the launch of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians.” Hon Njie revealed that Jammeh donated funds to build a headquarters for the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians, though the initiative did not come to fruition.
She also noted that Gambia’s parliament has long been a platform for women’s participation. She revealed that the first woman to sit in Parliament was Clara Jones, who was nominated by Prime Minister Kairaba Jawara in 1962. “The PPP elected Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang as a representative, although women struggled to be elected,” she explained.
“Women representatives are crucial for national development. They don’t only address issues that affect women and children, but also ensure that these issues are considered when laws are made,” she concluded. “I urge the current government to honor the CEDAW protocol and the Maputo Protocol, which call for at least 30% female representation in decision-making positions.”
Women in the Gambia have always been central to the country’s evolution, from their significant contributions during colonial times to their continued push for gender equality and leadership in post-independence society.