By Saikou Suwareh Jabai
The Vice Chairperson of The Gambia Women’s Federation (GWF) has said that Gambian women farmers are contributing enormously towards the sustainable development of communities and livelihood of families and that their efforts to have access to farmland must be given the utmost attention and addressed.
Aja Fatou Trawally was speaking to this medium shortly after the launching of the ACTIVISTA Nationwide Caravan on Women Land Rights and Ownership at the Governor’s Office in Brikama, September 27, 2016.
She noted that since women are responsible for all the domestic works at homes, their welfare towards sustainable development of the communities should be considered in order for them to continue complementing the efforts of the men.
“I am calling on the local authorities and the other relevant authorities as well as stakeholders to join the campaign in empowering women to have access to land inheritance in all parts of the country,” she said.
According to the vice chair of GWF, supporting women is integral as no sustainable development can take place in the absence of their participation. She emphasised that it is high time for men to recognize that women should be given the opportunity to access land as the road to Kilimanjaro Campaign is in high spirit and that all African women are making such a demand.
“The road to Kilimanjaro Campaign which is gathering momentum across Africa would in no doubt seek to serve as an avenue for women not only to access land but to support their respective families and communities,” she said.
Aja Fulo Drammeh, a woman leader from Bakadaji in the Upper River Region, said in order for sustainable development to be realised, women must be fully involved. She therefore said she is appealing for the menfolk to consider the interest of women when sharing inheritance land.
