Gambia Government called on to investigate Deyda Hydara's murder

Photo credit: Haddija Jawara

Nine years on since journalist Deydara was killed, the Gambia Press Union (GPU), has calledl on the Gambia government to do justice in the murder of journalist Deyda Hydara killed in the line of duty.

 Late Deyda Hydara,  was the managing editor and co-proprietor of The Point newspaper, who was murdered on 16th December 2004. on his paper’s anniversary day. Gambian authorities has never brought the assassins to book

 ‘We call on the Gambia government to properly investigate and brought out assassins of Deyda Hydara,” Jibairu Janneh, executive director of the union said. “Our position still stands the same.”

Janneh was speaking on world press freedom day, a day used to remember colleagues who have been victimize for just speaking out the truth.

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on 3 May to remind countries and people all around the world, that freedom of the press and freedom of speech and expression are fundamental human rights.

This day is often held to remember many journalists who have died or faced jail in order to bring news to the public.

Photo credit: Haddija Jawara

The government has also been called to do justice in the disappearance of Ebrima ‘chief ’Manneh, who went missing since 2007. Alarmingly, Gambian authorities cannot account for Manneh's whereabouts, and over the years have given evasive and inconsistent responses to regional and international inquiries.

This year’s theme for this day, as declared by the UN, is “Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the post-2015 Development Agenda”.

Done in different styles in other parts of the world, The Gambia celebrates it at the Tango office in a form of symposium with panelists who made presentations in different topics.

‘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