By: Alieu Ceesay
In the small village of Kass Wollof in the Central River Region of The Gambia, where the tradition of early marriage is prevalent, one young woman named Ndey Sambou has set a precedent by defying the cultural norms. Escaping a path many of her peers followed, Ndey pursued education with unwavering determination, ultimately becoming the first woman from her village to earn a university degree. With a degree in Mathematics, she plans to return to Kass Wollof, aiming to inspire young girls to envision futures beyond societal limitations and to introduce them to the empowering field of technology.
Ndey’s educational journey began at Firdawsy Lower Basic School, which is located a kilometer from Kass Wollof. She would walk from her village to attend school daily. Even today, Kass Wollof lacks basic infrastructure, such as electricity, paved roads, and adequate potable water. Residents rely on wells for their water supply.
Despite these challenges, Ndey remained committed to her education, driven by her dream of obtaining a degree. In 2024, she graduated from the University of The Gambia, the country’s premier institution of higher learning.
Throughout her upbringing, Ndey witnessed the adverse effects of early marriage firsthand. Many of her peers, some exceptionally bright, had their educational pursuits cut short for marriage, abruptly ending their career aspirations. Ndey was determined to forge a different path for herself. When asked how she became a beacon of educational achievement for her village, Ndey explained, “I dreamed of a life where I could create opportunities for others, especially young girls, and education was the only path to achieving that dream.”
Photo credit: Sarjo Baldeh, of Baldezz Media for the Alkamba Times
Ndey’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative potential of education. Her journey inspires her community and beyond, challenging traditional norms and paving the way for future generations to follow in her footsteps.
Ndey Sambou’s journey reflects a significant triumph over adversity. Despite facing the loss of her father at a young age and enduring the financial hardships that her family experienced, she remained steadfast in her commitment to education. The societal pressures to conform to early marriage and the lack of essential resources like electricity and internet access presented additional challenges.
However, with the unwavering support of her family and assistance from the MRC Holland Foundation, she successfully earned her undergraduate degree from the University of The Gambia.
As the first university graduate from Kass Wollof, Ndey is determined to give back to her community. She plans to teach basic computer skills to young people in her village, addressing a critical gap in technical education. The computer curriculum at Firdawsy Upper and Senior Secondary School often suffers from a shortage of skilled teachers. Ndey is ready to fill this void by offering computer literacy classes.
Ndey’s overarching goal is to foster a nurturing environment where young people, especially girls, feel empowered to explore technology without fear. She envisions a future where girls in her village have access to quality education and the freedom to pursue their career aspirations. By doing so, she hopes to inspire them to become leaders and innovators, breaking the poverty cycle and contributing to a brighter future for Kass Wollof.
Ndey Ceesay’s journey to prioritize education over traditional expectations reflects a significant cultural shift in her community. Initially, her mother, also named Ndey Ceesay, was hesitant about continuing her daughter’s education after her husband’s passing.
In Kass Wollof, prioritizing a girl’s education over early marriage was not a common practice, and the concept was met with skepticism.
Her mother’s initial reaction stemmed from a traditional viewpoint, where the value of education for girls was often underestimated. The challenges faced by the family, compounded by the father’s death, led to the belief that education might not result in significant opportunities for Ndey. This perspective highlights the societal norms and pressures that often influence decisions regarding girls’ education in certain communities.
However, Ndey’s pursuit of education has demonstrated the potential for change over time. Her story illustrates the importance of expanding access to education and challenging traditional norms that limit opportunities for girls. It underscores the impact education can have on transforming individual lives and, ultimately, entire communities.
Ndey Sambou’s decision to pursue education against traditional expectations also highlights a remarkable personal and familial transformation. Driven by a strong belief in the transformative power of education, Ndey left her home as a teenager to study in another town. This decision was initially met with skepticism from her community and posed emotional challenges due to the separation from her family.
Her unwavering determination gradually influenced her family, particularly her mother, who came to recognize and appreciate Ndey’s commitment to learning. “She was so serious about going to school, and she had such a strong love for learning that I couldn’t ignore it,” her mother reflected. Ndey’s accomplishments have shifted her family’s perspective on the importance of education, especially for girls, and have turned her into a source of inspiration and pride.
Ndey’s journey has had a ripple effect beyond her immediate family, prompting her mother to advocate for education within their community. Despite the challenges, including societal pressure to conform to traditional paths such as early marriage, Ndey found support in her brother, who stood by her and encouraged her educational pursuits.
Ndey Sambou’s return to her community as a computer literacy teacher marks a significant milestone in her journey. It showcases her commitment to using education as a tool for empowerment. Her mother expresses immense pride, recognizing the impact her daughter can have by uplifting others through education.
This experience has profoundly influenced Ndey’s mother, who actively encourages other parents in Kass Wollof to reconsider traditional practices like early marriage. She advocates prioritizing education, emphasizing its potential to transform lives and communities. “Early marriage should not be the only option for our girls,” she states, highlighting the importance of supporting children’s dreams and aspirations.
In The Gambia, legal measures have been implemented to combat child marriage. The Children’s (Amendment) Act, 2016 establishes the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 and imposes strict penalties to deter violations. These include lengthy prison sentences for individuals who marry children, parents or guardians who facilitate such marriages, and officiants who conduct the ceremonies.
Additionally, those aware of such marriages who fail to report them face legal consequences. These legal provisions protect children’s rights and align with international standards.
The establishment of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare further underscores ‘the government’s commitment to addressing issues affecting women, children, and social welfare in The Gambia.’
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare in The Gambia has introduced a National Gender and Women Empowerment Policy for 2024-2033, emphasizing the ‘government’s commitment to supporting rural women and girls.’
This policy aims to empower community members, particularly women, to actively participate in and own development projects and programs at the grassroots level.
In Kass Wollof, one of the significant challenges affecting girls’ education, besides early marriage, is the issue of poor hygiene management during menstruation. The lack of adequate facilities to address menstrual needs, coupled with insufficient water supply, poses obstacles for many girls in the community.
Jainaba Jammeh, a grade 12 Firidaws Upper and Senior Secondary School student, aspires to become an accountant.
She has witnessed many of her peers succumb to early marriage, and Ndey Sambou’s story inspires her. Jainaba emphasizes the need for parents to recognize the importance of education, noting instances where parents may interrupt their children’s schooling to take them to work on the farm during class hours.
Despite the existing legal framework, challenges in enforcement persist, and child marriage continues to be an issue in some areas. Ongoing efforts are necessary to ensure effective implementation of the law and to raise awareness regarding children’s rights, particularly their right to education.
Mot Gai, a teacher and youth leader in Firdawsy village near Kass Wollof, highlighted various challenges hindering girls’ education in the region. He pointed out that some girls must walk five to ten kilometers to reach school. While some have access to bicycles, others rely solely on walking, which can be exhausting and may prevent them from consistently attending classes.
Mr. Gai, a senior teacher, reflected on the unfortunate circumstances faced by some talented female students who have left school due to early marriage or other cultural factors. He noted the need for support: “Many girls are withdrawn from school to enter marriage, and we also face issues related to the GINI index.
Additionally, some students walk 10 kilometers to reach school; if tired, they may not make it to class.” He emphasized the importance of addressing early marriage and improving infrastructure and resources.
There is a pressing need for humanitarian services in the village of Kass Wollof, including a reliable water supply, facilities for managing menstrual hygiene, and access to computers for educational purposes.
Muhammed Mustapha Jagne, the 2024 Gambia Teachers Prize National Recipient, is leveraging his recognition to advocate against early marriage in culturally resistant areas. He passionately outlined strategic approaches to curbing this practice and fostering societal growth.
Jagne stated, “Early marriage poses life-threatening health risks for girls and limits their potential. We need to conduct outreach programs to awaken society to these dangers and create a better understanding of the implications.”
Jagne emphasized the necessity of raising awareness through sensitization campaigns that involve health experts. He pointed out that engaging culturally resistant communities with factual information about the health consequences of early marriage could help shift societal attitudes.
Another important strategy Jagne proposed is linking societal growth to education. He believes highlighting how education contributes to overall societal development can motivate families to prioritize schooling for their children over early marriage.
As both an educator and an advocate, Jagne is confident that these strategies, when implemented in a coordinated manner, can significantly reduce the prevalence of early marriage. His message underscores the importance of empowering communities with knowledge, promoting educational opportunities, and enacting supportive legislation to address this issue.
Gambia is a signatory to various national and international legal frameworks prohibiting early marriage. A key piece of legislation is the Children’s (Amendment) Act of 2016, which criminalizes child marriage and establishes the legal marriage age at 18. It also penalizes those who facilitate, participate in, or fail to report such marriages. The Women’s Act of 2010 protects women and girls in various contexts.
