By Alieu Ceesay
Saikou Darboe, Manager of ActionAid International, The Gambia’s Local Rights Program 9 (LRP9) in Juffereh, Upper Niumi, has called on the Gambian government to urgently review and revise the Local Government Act and the District Tribunal Act to better address the needs of youth and women. Darboe emphasized that these laws fail to adequately promote the inclusion of young people and women in decision-making processes, a critical step toward equitable governance.
“We are calling for the government to review those laws—the District Tribunal Act and the Local Government Act—that are not obviously addressing our present needs,” Darboe stated. “We urge the government to ensure that these laws are revised to include the needs of young people and women.”
Darboe made these remarks on Saturday during the closing ceremony of a three-day Human Rights-Based Approach training held for youth and women in the North Bank Region. The training, which equipped 25 participants with knowledge on human rights, accountability, and inclusion, aimed to enhance their capacity to advocate for marginalized groups in decentralized governance structures.
In The Gambia, women and youth constitute the majority of the population, yet their participation in decision-making remains limited. The ActionAid initiative seeks to bridge this gap by empowering these groups to engage in local governance and advocate for their rights.
One participant, Bai Gassama from Kanuma village, who works with the Network of Reintegration and Irregular Migration Data, highlighted the training’s impact on his understanding of migrants’ rights. “I’ve learned to connect human rights violations with returnees, migrants, and everyone,” Gassama said. “As a human being, you have a right to life, education, and a social life. This training has reshaped my perspective.”
Another participant, Amie Bah from Chamen Bai Dam Village, pledged to share her newfound knowledge through a door-to-door campaign to combat gender discrimination and promote equality. “I will help my colleagues know their rights and work to improve the rights of others,” Bah said, emphasizing her commitment to holding authorities accountable.
The training also fostered networking opportunities among participants, creating a platform for collaboration and advocacy. Susum Cham, a volunteer at the Global Platform, noted that the program transformed her perspective on societal issues. “This training has changed my mindset about the deprivation of rights for women, youth, and persons with disabilities,” Cham said. “I plan to implement new approaches in my community to address these challenges.”
The initiative underscores ActionAid’s broader mission to ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups in The Gambia’s decentralized structures. By equipping participants with the tools to advocate for their rights, the organization aims to drive systemic change in local governance.
Darboe’s call for legislative reform highlights the need for policies that reflect the demographic realities of The Gambia, where youth and women remain underrepresented despite their significant numbers.
