SheTale Media Network

Fallu Sowe: National Coordinator NGBV Fallu Sowe, the National Coordinator of the Network Against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV), has raised significant concerns about a troubling new trend in The Gambia: the rape of boys. This form of violence, which was once considered rare, is increasingly being reported to the Network, revealing a disturbing dimension of sexual violence in the country. According to Sowe, this shift emphasises the urgent need to recognise that boys can also be victims of sexual violence and must be protected with the same urgency and care afforded to girls. Sowe spoke with us in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Network’s office in Brusubi Phase 2, West Coast Region of The Gambia. “One of the emerging forms of violence we are witnessing is the increase in sexual violence against young boys. This is concerning because this type of abuse is rare and traditionally not known among our people in The Gambia. While sexual abuse of girls and women h...

PC: Google Sigh, damned patriarchy. I can accept all these patriarchal biases, but why should my pleasure be silent? I am tired, I feel suffocated, and I feel like I am about to explode. Ladies, what should I do about all these desires in my body?  A chilly silence fell over us. We exchanged glances and then looked at Binzy, who was cupping her chin with those lifeless eyes that used to sparkle with joy whenever we came together as friends. Binet Bah, affectionately known as Binzy, has always been the life of the party. She’s our organiser and is usually in charge of coordinating our all-girls outings. Today, however, that party animal didn’t only leave the preparations to us; she had been quiet since we arrived at Lemon Creek. We were all walking on eggshells around her until she finally decided to break the silence. “Binzy, are you okay? Is everything alright at home?” Fancy asked hesitantly. After a few minutes of excruciating silence, our friend of more than a decade finally spoke....

Gambana Community in Garawol observing Friday prayers in their mosque under construction  Gambana Community Elders in Koina  Gambana elders in Garawol talking to the reporter  Gambana women in Garawol observing Friday prayers  In Garawol and Koina, some 400 kilometres from Banjul, in the Kantora District of the Upper River Region of The Gambia, there live a people from the Soninkara (Sarahulleh) tribe fighting to free themselves of the clutches of caste-based slavery in the 21 st Century. “I am Gambana, not a slave”, has been their mantra since 2014 as they proactively struggle against a long-standing traditional practice that stifled their fundamental rights to equality and dignity. On Thursday, July 17th, 2025, we travelled by bus through the Banjul-Basse Highway through the south bank of River Gambia. Our mission: to meet with, and listen to the plights of the people who have been considered lowest in social status within the Soninkara communities. Their lives and livelihoo...

Group Photo At the State of the World Population Report (SWOP) 2025 Launch on the theme “The real Fertility Crisis: the Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World” and the commemoration of the World Population Day 2025 on the theme 'empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world”, The United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) and The Gambia Government through the National Population Commission Secretariat (NPCS) under the office of the Vice President affirm their commitment to addressing the Sexual Reproductive Health needs of Women, Girls and Young People in the Gambia. The event, which was held on Friday, 11th July, 2025, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre in Bijilo, West Coast Region of the Gambia, brought together the UN system, the Gambia Government, young people, partners and stakeholders to celebrate, launch the report and discuss the real fertility crisis facing young people in their quest to build the families they w...

PC: Google As the world marks Menstrual Hygiene Day on the theme “Together for a Period Friendly World”, I asked, why can’t we have a Pad Shop and Menstrual Health Information and Services in schools to protect the dignity of our girls. The unexpected visitor (Period), as my girls and I love to call it, can appear anytime, whether you are prepared or not. This is our nature and it should not stop us from going to school.  We have stationeries in school and students don’t have to go outside to buy all they need for their studies. Imagine a pad shop within our school environment where students can have access to Pads while menstruating and also have access to Menstrual health information and services they need to manage menstruation with dignity. According to the WHO/UNICEF Report, Globally, a significant number of school-going children lack access to menstrual health information and adequate facilities. Only about 2 out of 5 schools (39%) worldwide provide menstrual health education, an...

UN Under-Secretary-General, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous. Photo: Google The UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, has said that “over 612 Million Women and Girls are living in conflict zones.” She was speaking at the UN Security Council high-level open debate on the “protection of civilians in armed conflict held at the UN Headquarters on 22nd May 2025.  Addressing the Security Council, Sima said, “Today, over 612 million women and girls are living in conflict zones. That is not just a number; it should be a call to action for all of us. In war, women and girls are not just caught in the crossfire. They, their bodies, their health, their choices, and their voices are actively targeted. Conflict-related sexual violence is a protection crisis that rightfully warrants attention. I know the Council will consider this issue with the sustained focus it demands.”  “In Gaza, 75% of women suffer from depression. Girls say they wish they were dead. I...