SheTale Media Network

PC: Amie Ceesay In a powerful address from Jarra Soma, Amie Ceesay, Chairperson of the Jarra West District Youth Committee and a community health nursing student in Mansakonko, has issued a strong condemnation of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), describing it as a “stolen future” for young girls. Ceesay noted that while FGM was once widely practised in her community, attitudes are gradually changing. According to her, the practice is no longer as widespread as it used to be, signalling a shift in awareness and perception. Although she is not a survivor herself, Ceesay shared the deeply personal experiences of those close to her. “I have friends who are survivors. I currently live with a friend who is a survivor,” she said during an interview in March 2026. She explained that her friend continues to live with emotional and physical trauma. “She tells me that whenever she hears people discussing FGM, she cannot participate because she knows the pain she is going through. She even admits ...

In Gunjur, West Coast Region of the Gambia, where tradition has long shaped decisions about family life, one father’s reflection is quietly challenging a deeply rooted practice. Abass Bangura, a community leader and father of seven, says he circumcised all three of his daughters—but would not do so again. “Many might find it ironic, but I had my children circumcised simply because I didn’t understand the harm it could cause,” he said in April 2026. “At the time, I truly believed I was honouring and preserving my cultural traditions.” His shift reflects a broader tension in The Gambia, where Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains widespread despite growing awareness and legal restrictions. According to national data, approximately 75.7% of women aged 15–49 in The Gambia have undergone FGM, placing the country among those with the highest prevalence globally. The practice was criminalised in 2015, yet enforcement challenges and strong cultural expectations have allowed it to persist—oft...

At the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre on April 14, 2026, the launch of the Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations (SPRING) programme signalled more than just another development initiative—it marked a major financial intervention aimed at reshaping The Gambia’s agricultural economy. Also in attendance were key financial and institutional stakeholders whose roles are central to the effective management and oversight of the project’s funds. These included Leena Malde, Vice President of COLEAD, and Permanent and Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Mod A.K Ceesay, Ndey Fatou Jobe, and Fatou Jammeh-Touray. They represented their respective ministries in the absence of cabinet ministers, underscoring the strong institutional commitment required to ensure that the over D1.6 billion investment under the SPRING project is effectively coordinated, transparently managed, and delivers tangible economic returns for the country. Backed by the European Union, the pro...

At the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre on April 14, 2026, the launch of the Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations (SPRING) project signalled more than just another development initiative—it marked a major financial intervention aimed at reshaping The Gambia’s agricultural economy. Also in attendance were key financial and institutional stakeholders whose roles are central to the effective management and oversight of the project’s funds. These included Leena Malde, Vice President of COLEAD, and Permanent and Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Mod A.K Ceesay, Ndey Fatou Jobe, and Fatou Jammeh-Touray. They represented their respective ministries in the absence of cabinet ministers, underscoring the strong institutional commitment required to ensure that the over D1.6 billion investment under the SPRING project is effectively coordinated, transparently managed, and delivers tangible economic returns for the country. Backed by the European Union, the proje...

The recent withdrawal of the Nyagen Village in Central River region, Niani Constituency Alkalo’s official stamp during the ongoing supplementary voter registration exercise has sparked serious concerns of political interference, with civil society observers suggesting the move may be linked to perceived affiliation with the opposition. The Government announced on April 9 that the stamp had been seized and placed under “secure custody,” citing concerns over its alleged misuse after the Alkalo reportedly entrusted it to his son. Authorities maintained that the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of the voter registration process. However, during a press briefing held at the Gambia Participates office on April 11, 2026, findings from domestic election observers, including Gambia Participates and the Elections Watch Committee (EWC), point to a different narrative. Observers Question Official Justification Although the government did not provide detailed evidence of misuse, obse...

For many communities in The Gambia, the 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) has not ended the practice—it has simply pushed it out of public view. Speaking in Kiang Kaiaf, lower River Region of The Gambia, in March 2026, Mrs. Manding Kassama states that FGM is deeply embedded in tradition and cannot be easily abandoned, despite increasing awareness of its harmful effects. “FGM has been practised for many years. That is why it will be difficult for us to abolish it,” she said. While medical evidence has consistently shown the risks associated with the practice—especially during childbirth—Kassama says cultural and religious beliefs continue to shape attitudes in her community. “We often hear that FGM causes health problems, but for us, it is part of our tradition and religion. It is not easy to stop it abruptly,” she added. A Practice Driven Underground Although FGM was criminalised in 2015, the practice remains widespread. About 73% of women aged 15–49 in The Gambia have underg...