GAMCOTRAP observes IWD

By Fatoumatta Dukureh The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), Wednesday joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Women’s Day to reflect on issues affecting women and the way forward. GAMCOTRAP is a non-profit organisation formed to carry out research into traditional practices that affect the sexual and reproductive health of women and girl children in The Gambia. Addressing stakeholders at the commemoration, the GAMCOTRAP acting executive director, Marie Small, said IWD is put aside to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women around the world. “We are celebrating this year’s international women’s day under the appropriate theme “BeBoldForChange,” She continued: “This theme helps focus our minds on the recognition that whilst we have much to celebrate in the laudable acts of Dr. Isatou Touray, Aja Babung Sidibeh, the late Aja Nyiminasata Sanneh-Bojang and the late Aunty Bijou Peters, their legacy should inspire us to do even more to end gender inequality and uplift women in our society”. She noted that the empowerment of women has long been a major priority for GAMCOTRAP and like-minded organisations. “GAMCOTRAP since its inception in 1984 to date, is committed to ending gender inequality and ensuring that women fully participate in society,” she added. She said despite all the gains registered in the Gambia of recent, there is much more to do to truly realise the hopes and vision of the vulnerable and the marginalised. “Our major constraints include gender inequalities, cultural practices and perceptions, adolescent sexuality, women’s sexual and reproductive health needs among host of other stalling issues,” she said. She said these issues must be addressed by governments to pave the way for the achievements of the sustainable and equitable development goals. “We can surely address these issues through partnership at different levels between women and men, girls and boys as well as partnerships between various sectors and actors in the development process,” she noted. She called on her fellow women to ensure that the day remains one of the highlights of their calendar and that they use it to reinforce their commitment to gender equality and the empowerment.]]>