Court to Issue Verdict in Two Prominent Women’s Rights Defenders Tomorrow

Dr Touray on the right hand and Amie on the left

The Banjul Magistrates’ Court will issue a verdict in the alleged theft case of two prominent women’s rights defenders tomorrow, November 12.

 Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director and Amie Bojang   Sissoho, Programme coordinator, of The Gambia committee for Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) are on trial on a charge of theft.

 The two women’s rights activists are accused of stealing €30, 000.00 provided by YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD, a Spain-based NGO, but denied wrong-doing.

They were arrested and detained on Monday October 11^th, 2010 by Gambian security forces, kept in police custody at the Banjul police station.

 On Tuesday 12 October 2010, they were arraigned and the presiding magistrate Emmanuel Nkea refused them bail and remanded them in custody at the Female Wing of Mile Two Prisons for eight days.

Both of them have opened their defense following the closure of prosecution case after the testimony of eight witnesses.
The two have over the years been very active and effective in the promotion of women and children’s rights particularly as they relate to female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other discriminatory practices.
GAMCOTRAP is one of the lead organizations working in the area of women and girls  empowerment , FGM and other harmful practices that affect the lives and circumstances of women and girls in the Gambia.  GAMCOTRAP’s years of struggle and countess efforts have contributed significantly  to be development of women and girls in the Gambia and elsewhere and has led to over 100( one hundred ) circumcisers dropping their knives publicly and abandoning the practice.

 Author: Binta A Bah