By Ebrima Jallow
Pinkathon, a movement encouraging women to take care of their health, Sunday organised a march-past from their Fajara offices to the Independence Stadium with the motto and pledge ‘never give up’.
The march-past was part of celebrations marking Pinkathon Day, celebrated every year on October 21. On this Day, women in cities across India and around the world run together and discuss the importance of exercise under the banner of Pinkathon, the brainchild of Bollywood actor Milind Soman Jito.
A key goal is to promote women empowerment through fitness and health improvement.
Speaking at the commemoration, Divya Tulsyani, Brand Ambassador (volunteer)Pinkathon Gambia, said: “The message of Pinkathon is clear; women, we need you, your families need you, and not just your children but your society and your country needs you.
“In the words of Bishop Tutu and countless wise men before and since, “If we are going to see real development in the world then our best investment is women.”
She said women should come together as one for progress and good health for all, especially if they are to defeat the killer disease breast cancer, which has killed an estimated 508 000 women in 2011 alone, according to the WHO.
“In a country like ours, with a culture that has no tradition of sports for all, or exercise or of healthy lifestyle practices, change is needed and women are the key to that change. We want ‘Har ghar mein Pinkathon’,” she said.
Tulsyani said Pinkathon is India’s biggest women’ run created to raise awareness of women’s health and other related issues, breast cancer in particular.
“Through the Pinkathon we encourage women to adopt health and fitness in their daily lifestyles by means of running,” she said.
Ida Ceesay Njie, a breast cancer survivor, advised women to do monthly check-ups to ensure that they are safe.
Dr Vacha Pathank, a consultant and physician, stated: “Women who are born in families suffering with breast cancer are more vulnerable to the disease. Checking yourself is the key,” she added.
