‘We Want Fair Representation in Parliament’ Says Ex-Lawmaker

 The Gambia has though made some notable improvements in promoting gender equity in recent times, nonetheless, the reality remains that majority of Gambian women continue to play a subservient role in voting for and not standing up to be voted for.

“There is a significant number of women holding key leadership positions; but there is a need for participation in decision making to change the discriminatory practices that continue to marginalize women and increase their poverty and subordination” Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang the first women who was elected into the parliament during the first republic.

Despite locals laws that call for women participation in politics in the society, women are still under represented in the political field as only few individuals are benefitting.

“There is a significant number of women holding key leadership positions; but there is a need for participation in decision making to change the discriminatory practices that continue to marginalize women and increase their poverty and subordination” Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang the first women who was elected into the parliament during the first republic.

Despite locals laws that call for women participation in politics in the society, women are still under represented in the political field as only few individuals are benefitting.

“There is need for us to take charge of our destiny,’ she said stressing the low participation of women in the parliament. “We want a fair representation in parliament and not two or three” she said

She was speaking at a workshop organised by GAMCOTRAP  at  Nematoulie Lodge in Brikama West Coast region 17 March 2014 . The workshop brought together women leaders from different political parties, political partners, youth and the media.

The project, ‘Promoting Effective Participation of Women in Governance and Leadership Positions’ seeks to enhance awareness and consciousness about the need for women’s participation in governance and decision making processes in the Greater Banjul Area.

Organized by GAMCOTRAP, It also aims to engage the media to build public confidence in the election of women in political positions. It is funded by National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang

The gender inequality in the society according to Nyimasata Sanneh-Bojang limits the participation of women in politics, which poses a threat in the socio-economy development of the country. “Women don’t have that confident to participate because of perceived roles of women continue to be marginalize in the political sphere.”

Political Hypocrisy

“This is not party affairs but to empower women on their political rights to be voted in key positions,” said Dr Isatou Touray, Executive director of GAMCOTRAP.

“Women participation in the political sphere will shape the lives of women, the struggle to ensure the equality and equal opportunity for women. We cannot have change if we don’t have effective women in parliament.” She said

Out of the 54 parliamentarian in the National Assembly only 4 are women and this according to Dr Touray will only make little impact on the lives of Gambian women. “Numbers matters,” she said. ‘Saying that we have many women in government positions is not enough but also making decision of their own for the benefits of all women.”

She noted, “Awareness on the importance of women’s participation in the democratic process to promote the participation of women in governance and leadership can break the chain of male dominance in participating in the administrative life of our country and not reducing to mere political propaganda tools.”

In 2008 she said, Open Society Initiative in West Africa (OSIWA) supported GAMCOTRAP to create awareness on women’s political participation and leadership from a gender perspective.

“The outcome of the sensitization activities resulted to participation of more women in their various political parties.It created a very good momentum throughout the country, where women were motivated to compete at the Local Government Level and 15 out of 20 aspirants won the elective positions” Dr Touray said

Women’s political Rights

Political rights of women are protected by the highest law of the land, the Constitution and this according to Sagarr Jahateh should be respected by all three arms of the government. Mrs Jahateh who went through the legal context of women’s rights to political participation in good governance and leadership spoke on behalf of Female Lawyers Association, The Gambia, (FLAG).

  “Apart from these general rights, there are specific rights for equal opportunity of political, economic and social lives of women,” she said. “We have the right to stand up for any position, right from the local government to presidency level”

Limited Resources and lack of confidence

Women face different challenges in their political lives which limit their capacity and confident to become effective leaders. “Women have low status, men are considered superior because culturally you have been raised to stay in the house and take care of the family thus violating your political rights.”

Women are very active in voting but we do not see the same participation when it comes to actually standing up to be voted for. Most of time there is little or no resources to enhance women to participate in politics and good leadership position.

“There are women in leadership but if one come to analyze it, you will find out it does not reflect the Gambian society. Most of them are from privilege families,” said Sagarr. She noted that it will crucial for the government to sensitize the public to empower women to hold political position, and also given technical expertise and resources.

International commitment

Though Gambia have made some achievements by ratifying international laws like the CEDAW, and also passing local laws; Women’s Act, Sexual offences and Domestic violence, Act “but sometimes this laws are superficial.”

She believes government need to implement the international commitments it made and advocate for the effective participation of women in politics.

“It’s high time women stand up for position in the parliament to combat issues affecting us,” she said. “It’s time men clap and listen to our concerns, and rights.” said Tina Faal, former parliamentarian. Tina Faal, believed women continue to suffer because of their low participation in parliament to empower them achieve their goals in the political processes

Political and women’s rights activist, Amie Sillah, pointed out some of the reasons for the low participation of women in politics. “Illiteracy, cultural believes, perception, women’s lack of confidence, low level of awareness, less opportunity to contest, intimidation from state and non-state actors and limited resources are all reason why women are still left behind when it comes to political participation,” she said.

Kebba Jobe of the Civic Education said the majority of Gambian people are women, yet they are still not in the frontline of politics. “To vote and be voted for is a fundamental civic duty of every Gambian woman who has voters’ cards.No woman should undermine the importance of her participation.”

Jobe emphasizes that there should be no discrimination in the political arena. Women, the poor and most vulnerable should be heard. “We cannot have peace if women are left behind.”

Fatou Touray, a participant challenged that the civic education should play its role by carrying out series of sensitization on the national television and radio so that every woman know their political rights to enhances women to fully participate in politics.

However, Jobe was quick to add that such sensitizations needed resources. “We have to pay D20, 000 to the state-owned TV per hour and D3, 000 to the national radio if we have to discuss this civic right.” He said

“It not only about creating awareness, but equipping us with knowledge to stand on our own,” another participant said. “It is not that we don’t want to stand up for positions but the society itself sees us as weak and ineffective.”

Author: By Binta A Bah