State power is a public property. It is not personal property. Hence its exercise must not depend on the whims and caprices of its holders. It should be guided by law and principles of justice and good governance.
The double oppression of women gave birth to Ministries of Women’s Affairs, Women’s Bureau and Women Federations so that women and progressive men would come together to put an end to all forms of oppression, exploitation and discrimination of women.
There is no greater injustice than to create a law to criminalise preference of personal appearance, especially when such appearance has gone beyond national boundaries and is adopted by wives of heads of state who may pay visits to the Gambia. There is no greater injustice than to punish a person without subjecting him or her to a trial.
Silence has gripped the mouths of those who know exactly why some female members of the disciplined force are encamped against their will. No official dares to publicly say that it is because of skin bleaching since no trial has taken place to that effect. If the encampment is not due to line of duty, then it should be taken as arbitrary detention without trial. The family members should tell Foroyaa who is involved so that we could highlight their plight and expose, name and shame those responsible for such inhumane treatment.
