Gamcotrap Sensitises Journalists on Women’s Rights, Et al
Friday 29th February 2008

By  M. Justice Darboe & Sarata J-Dibba

The appointment of women in various top jobs may just be great attestation to all the efforts that has gone into gender equality and greater freedom for women. True, all over the world, women are working expeditiously to enhance the role of women in society but yet women are marginalised and unprotected from domestic violence, despite toiling to feed, shelter and clothe their families.

It is in light of the foregoing that the Gambia Committee Against Harmful Traditional Practices, Gamcotrap, continue to value the role of the Press as critical not only in exposing violence against women but also as a key-holder in eliminating violence against them. In its sustained efforts to making media part of the solution to the problem, Gamcotrap on Saturday brought, under one roof, editors and senior producers of various media outlets in the country to sensitize them on the inviolable rights of women as well as harmful traditional practices.

At the one-day session held at the President’s Award Scheme in Bakau, the Executive Director of Gamcotrap, Dr. Isatou Touray, stressed that the media can be both part of the problem as well as the solution when it comes to the promotion of women’s wellbeing. To Doctor, the role of Press in enhancing the welfare of women and children is one of significance which cannot be overstressed. She intimated that her organization is alive to the great role that media can play in making societies fit for women. Gamcotrap, added she, will continue to work with the fourth estate in a mutually reinforcing manner.

Challenging the honourable senior members of the fourth estate to play their roles with verve, Dr. Touray pointed out with regret that subjectivity is lamentably one of the malignant malaise affecting the way the media in The Gambia approach women issues. Assuring the media of a fruitful cross-collaboration, Dr. Touray postulated that women’s welfare issues are cross-cutting issues that require the undivided attention and unreserved participation of all and sundry. She acknowledged, with confidence, that the Government of the Gambia has the political commitment and has already created that nurturing environment for women to grow and be protected.

During the one-day sensitisation workshop, participants were, through a video show, exposed to various debilitating ramifications of female genital mutilation. Participants also came up with recommendations which, among many others, include the design of more training facilities for journalists on women welfare and other cognate issues. Participants also recommended that journalists should adopt a regulatory framework that will guide them in reporting on women.

At the end of the day, Dr. Isatou Touray, in declaring the forum over, assured the Press that Gamcotrap’s door is wide open for them and they can access information without any hindrance.

See our subsequent editions for more on the workshop.