30/12/2025
Nioro Jattaba Celebrates Revival of Female Association
Women and daughters of Nioro Jattaba, both resident in the village and those living outside, converged in large numbers on Saturday, 27 December 2025, for the inauguration of the Nioro Female Association (NFA), marking a major revival of organised women-led community action in the village.
The event represented not merely the launch of a new body, but the reformation of years of collective efforts by women aimed at supporting community development across key social sectors, including health, education, agriculture and broader human development. Natives of Nioro Jattaba from within The Gambia and neighbouring Senegal joined the celebrations, underscoring the strong bond between the village and its diaspora.
Proceedings began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an at the central mosque, where prayers were offered for Allah’s guidance, protection and blessings. The session also served as a call for strengthened unity, effective collaboration, improved communication and collective responsibility in pursuit of the association’s shared goals.
Speakers at the event described the initiative as a bottom-up approach that places women at the centre of identifying and addressing the village’s pressing needs. Many noted that the timing of the revival could not have been more appropriate, given the growing social and economic challenges facing rural communities. The move has attracted commendation from both near and far, with observers praising the women of Nioro Jattaba for taking ownership of their development agenda.
The formation of the association aligns with proven development models across both the Global South and North, where women’s cooperatives and grassroots movements have played a significant role in driving sustainable development and improving access to essential services.
The Nioro Female Association aims to focus on economic empowerment through savings schemes, cooperatives, access to markets and support for small businesses, with the broader goal of increasing household income and reducing poverty. Its objectives also include strengthening women’s participation in leadership and advocacy, promoting adult literacy and girls’ education, addressing school dropout, and improving access to healthcare, particularly maternal and reproductive health services. Culturally, the association seeks to promote positive traditional values and shared community responsibility.
The organisers expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the inauguration, including elders, women from neighbouring communities, the youth and members of the traffic police. Special appreciation was extended to those who offered support in cash and kind, helping to make the occasion both successful and memorable.
Story by Musa Bah