SheTale Media Network

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

For millions across Africa, access to clean drinking water is often discussed as a question of infrastructure, climate change, or poverty. But during a powerful panel discussion at the NGOs Forum in Banjul, human rights advocates and experts argued that another deeply rooted factor continues to dete...

09/05/2026

In a continent increasingly shaped by armed conflict, political instability, climate insecurity, and shrinking civic space, African women leaders and human rights advocates are demanding a redefinition of peace — one that moves beyond ceasefires and political negotiations to address the daily real...

04/05/2026

In Basse, where the rhythms of daily life are carried across airwaves and village conversations alike, Saidou Camara has become a familiar voice. As the regional correspondent for the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) in the Upper River Region, he reports the news—but increasingly, he is...

04/05/2026

In Giroba, a community in The Gambia’s Upper River Region, Malie Baldeh is not just a father—he is a voice of change. As chairperson of the Fathers Club in Basse, he stands at the forefront of a quiet but determined movement challenging the long-standing practice of Female Ge***al Mutilation (FG...

02/05/2026

Sitting on a plastic chair at the veranda of his home on April 18, 2026, Joe reflects on how much has changed in just under two years. The Fathers Club, he explains, was formed shortly after a meeting with their National Assembly Member at the area council. Its goal was to strengthen families and guide both men and women in addressing issues affecting their homes.

“At first, there were many things we didn’t understand,” Joe says.

“But now, we understand a lot—and that has changed our thinking.”

One of the most significant changes has been the community’s evolving attitude toward FGM. For generations, the practice was seen as a cultural obligation. Young girls were taken into the bush, where parts of their reproductive organs were cut, often without an understanding of the health risks involved.

This story is part of the "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" podcast funded by the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD UK)

In the bustling town of Basse in The Gambia’s Upper River Region, change is unfolding—slowly, but with determination. At the centre of this shift is Joe Ndow, a community member and assistant secretary of the local Fathers Club, who is part of a growing movement challenging long-held beliefs abo...

30/04/2026

The federation also announced that it has submitted a resolution to the Ministry of Trade and Employment outlining key labour concerns. These include the introduction of a living minimum wage, universal social protection, formalisation of the informal sector, improved workplace health and safety, gender justice, the eradication of child labour, and strengthened social dialogue.

The Federation of Labour Unions of The Gambia (FLUG) has called for urgent reforms to improve the welfare and rights of workers across the country. International Workers’ Day is not just a celebration—it is a reminder of ongoing struggles. In The Gambia, it highlights the urgent need for reforms...

24/04/2026

A mother of eight, Manjang carries a story that is both deeply personal and widely shared among women in The Gambia. But unlike many, she has chosen to confront it openly. Sitting in the shade of her family compound, her voice steady but reflective, she speaks not only as a survivor of Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM) but as a mother resolved to end its legacy within her own home.

“I still carry the scars of a tradition I never chose,” she says quietly. “For years, I believed the lie that my daughter’s safety depended on a blade—until I looked into her eyes and realised that true protection isn’t found in a ritual, but in the courage to break the cycle.”

Manjang was thirteen when she was taken to her grandmother’s farm under the promise of a visit and a gift. What followed is a memory she cannot forget. There was no warning, no consent—only reassurance wrapped in tradition. She recalls being told the procedure would make her “clean” and worthy of respect.

This story is part of the "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" podcast funded by the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD UK)

Network Against Gender Based Violence, the Gambia The Girls' Agenda Halimatou Ceesay

In the coastal community of Gunjur Sambuya, where tradition often speaks louder than personal choice, Ramatoulie Manjang is charting a different course—one shaped not by custom, but by memory, pain, and an unyielding determination to protect her children. A mother of eight, Manjang carries a story...

23/04/2026

Maimuna Touray, a mother of four from Gunjur, believes Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM) is not inherently wrong, arguing instead that the problem lies in how it is performed. However, medical and global health evidence strongly contradicts this view, showing that no form of FGM is safe—regardless of who performs it or where it takes place.

In an interview on March 28, 2026, Touray explained that all three of her daughters underwent circumcision without immediate complications. She emphasised that she avoids more severe forms, such as “sealing”, and ensures the procedure is done in a clean environment.

Yet, according to the World Health Organisation, all forms of FGM can lead to serious long-term consequences, including chronic pain, infections, childbirth complications, and psychological trauma—many of which may not appear immediately after the procedure.

This story is part of the "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" podcast funded by the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD UK).

Network Against Gender Based Violence, the Gambia The Girls' Agenda

Maimuna Touray, a mother of four from Gunjur, believes Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM) is not inherently wrong, arguing instead that the problem lies in how it is performed. However, medical and global health evidence strongly contradicts this view, showing that no form of FGM is safe—regardless o...

21/04/2026

African Civil Society to Convene on Water, Sanitation, and Human Rights at 87th ACHPR NGO Forum

The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) is pleased to announce the convening of the Forum of NGOs Participating in the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 May 2026 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre.

The NGO Forum is organised ahead of the forthcoming session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), bringing together civil society organisations, human rights defenders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

This year’s Forum will be held under the theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

The theme underscores the urgent need to address challenges related to water security, sanitation, and hygiene as fundamental human rights and essential components of sustainable development across the continent. Discussions will explore policy frameworks, accountability mechanisms, and innovative solutions aimed at ensuring equitable access to safe water and sanitation services, in line with Africa’s development blueprint, Agenda 2063.

Over the three-day Forum, participants will engage in panel discussions, thematic sessions, and strategy meetings addressing a wide range of human rights issues, with particular emphasis on the intersection between environmental sustainability, public health, and social justice.

The outcomes of the NGO Forum will inform advocacy positions and recommendations to be presented during the ACHPR session.

We invite civil society actors, development partners, and other stakeholders to join this platform for dialogue, collaboration, and collective action.



https://shetalemedianetwork.com/article.php?id=76

21/04/2026

Press Release: NGO Forum Ahead of the African Commission Session to Convene in The Gambia
https://www.acdhrs.org/2026/04/press-release-ngo-forum-ahead-of-the-african-commission-session-to-convene-in-the-gambia/