Kicking off the 16 Days of Activism and marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – because every voice matters, and every action counts.
FLAG Launches New Initiative: Increasing Access to Justice and Women’s Political Participation in The Gambia.
Female Lawyer’s Association Gambia (FLAG) is proud to announce its latest project aimed at transforming the landscape of women’s rights and political engagement across The Gambia. This ambitious initiative focuses on increasing access to justice and empowering women to participate actively in the country’s political processes, particularly in key regions vital to national development. The project kickstarts in Brikama (West Coast Region) on the 15th November, 2025 funded by Canada Fund For Local Initiatives (CFLI).
The project will operate across several strategic regions including Banjul, Kanifing Municipality, West Coast Region, Central River Region, Upper River Region, Lower River Region, and North Bank Region. These areas, characterized by diverse demographics and varying socio-cultural norms, are crucial for fostering inclusive governance. Women in these regions face different degrees of marginalization, making them ideal focal points for driving meaningful change.
By targeting these communities, the project aims to address specific local barriers to women’s political involvement, ranging from cultural and social norms to limited legal awareness. Empowering women at the community level ensures that their voices are heard and that they can influence policies affecting their livelihoods and social standing. Ultimately, the project aspires to embed gender equality deeply within local governance structures and community life.
In The Gambia, women remain significantly underrepresented in political spaces. To date, no woman has held the presidency, and only a handful of women occupy ministerial positions or serve as members of the National Assembly. Women in politics face social shaming, online bullying, and limited support from political parties, which tend to be male-dominated. Cultural and religious norms further hinder women’s ambitions and participation.
FLAG’s project aims to challenge these systemic barriers by fostering an environment where women’s voices are valued and their leadership potential is recognized. Through targeted advocacy, community engagement, and capacity-building, the initiative seeks to create a political landscape where women’s participation is not just encouraged but institutionalized.
The project will operate across several strategic regions including Banjul, Kanifing Municipality, West Coast Region, Central River Region, Upper River Region, Lower River Region, and North Bank Region. These areas, characterized by diverse demographics and varying socio-cultural norms, are crucial for fostering inclusive governance. Women in these regions face different degrees of marginalization, making them ideal focal points for driving meaningful change.
By targeting these communities, the project aims to address specific local barriers to women’s political involvement, ranging from cultural and social norms to limited legal awareness. Empowering women at the community level ensures that their voices are heard and that they can influence policies affecting their livelihoods and social standing. Ultimately, the project aspires to embed gender equality deeply within local governance structures and community life.
In The Gambia, women remain significantly underrepresented in political spaces. To date, no woman has held the presidency, and only a handful of women occupy ministerial positions or serve as members of the National Assembly. Women in politics face social shaming, online bullying, and limited support from political parties, which tend to be male-dominated. Cultural and religious norms further hinder women’s ambitions and participation.
FLAG’s project aims to challenge these systemic barriers by fostering an environment where women’s voices are valued and their leadership potential is recognized. Through targeted advocacy, community engagement, and capacity-building, the initiative seeks to create a political landscape where women’s participation is not just encouraged but institutionalized.
The overarching goal of this project is to significantly increase women’s access to justice and political participation, ensuring women can actively shape policies that impact their lives. Through awareness campaigns, legal empowerment activities, and strategic advocacy, FLAG aims to dismantle the barriers that limit women’s civic and political engagement.
The project envisions a more inclusive and representative governance system where women hold leadership roles at all levels—local councils, national assembly, and even the presidency. This transformation will promote gender-balanced policies addressing women’s needs and foster a culture of active civic participation. It will also strengthen the legal foundation for women’s rights, providing resources and support for justice in cases of gender-based violence and discrimination.
By inspiring future generations, the project aims to cultivate a society where women’s voices are an essential part of decision-making, leading to a more just, equitable, and prosperous Gambia.
The project’s immediate activities are designed to generate tangible results quickly:
FLAG-UNICEF HOUR ON UPHOLDING THE BAN ON FGM.
For his part, Mr. Mass Laye spoke aabout the severe medical risks of FGM shedding light on Gambian clinical and population studies (and local NGOs) which link FGM to higher rates of obstetric complications and lifelong physical, sexual and psychological harms. Recent Gambian hospital research and program reports document these problems in local settings. He reiterated on the fact that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains one of the most deeply rooted harmful practices affecting girls and women in The Gambia. While conversations around FGM often focus on tradition, culture and changing social norms, the health consequences of the practice are far less visible—and far more devastating—than many realise. Behind every statistic is a girl, a mother, a sister, or a neighbour whose life has been shaped by pain, trauma, or long-term health complications that could have been prevented.
Across communities in The Gambia, FGM is still commonly performed on young girls, often by traditional practitioners and usually without any form of anaesthesia or sterile equipment. For many, the suffering begins immediately. The sharp pain, heavy bleeding, and shock that follow the procedure can leave girls fighting for their lives. Some experience severe infections or find themselves unable to urinate due to swelling and injury. In households without quick access to medical care, these complications can escalate within hours.
But the impact does not end there. As survivors grow older, many grapple with deep, persistent pain that becomes a normal part of their everyday lives. Scarring caused during cutting can lead to repeated infections, menstrual difficulties, and cysts that sometimes require surgery. For some women, intimacy becomes painful or distressing, affecting their relationships and emotional wellbeing in ways they rarely feel safe to speak about publicly.
Imam Ousman Jah and Mr. Mass Laye
Mr.Mass Laye further laid emphasis on which are beyond the physical consequences, the emotional wounds of FGM run deep. Many survivors carry memories of fear, confusion, or betrayal from being cut at a young age. Others struggle with anxiety, depression, or trauma—feelings that are rarely addressed due to stigma or lack of access to mental-health support. The silence surrounding these experiences can be just as damaging as the procedure itself.
He further stating that ending FGM is not only about changing laws or challenging traditions—it is about acknowledging the lived realities of Gambian women and girls. It is about listening to survivors, recognising their strength, and ensuring that no child endures the pain and lifelong consequences of this harmful practice
