Empowering women in The Gambia

What a surprise, an invitation to the Republic of The Gambia, West Africa! It was extended by President Yahya Abdulaziz Jemus Junkung Jemmah himself. I was the only woman in our US group at FSJ and Associates.

We were asked to assist President Yahya in the production of his February Independence Day celebrations, develop an international recording studio, and create an entertainment educational course for university students in Banjul. In addition, Vice President Isatul Njie-Saide asked us to help with the Gambian women’s empowerment programme.

Being a motivational speaker and dedicated charity advocate, I was elated! After intense preparation and numerous shots, I set out on my long journey. A day and a half later, I was exhausted when I arrived in Banjul, still retching from the stench of herdsmen and pesticide spraying in Dakar, Senegal.

The Gambia is located on the west coast of Africa, close to the equator. It surrounds a delta on the edge of the desert. I was greeted by roaming goats and Ebu, my driver/bodyguard. I was not allowed to be in public without him. I quickly understood why.

In addition to being a year of elections and threats from the Opposition Party, the natives grabbed my blond hair and pale arms and then wanted to shake my hand. His yellow eyes told their stories of poverty and disease. She kept telling me, “Use a lot of disinfectant!” Diseases proliferate there: AIDS, hepatitis, malaria, meningitis, West Nile, bird flu, etc.

At ten dollars (US) for bottled water, I rationed it for the whole day, saving drops to brush my teeth before bed. That was fine, because the bathrooms were practically non-existent. If you found one, there would be no toilet paper and you would have stale sewage on your floor. Besides water, my diet consisted of grapefruit, pineapple, pastries, meatless pizza, and moldy cheese.

Gambians view Americans as rich, because the average worker earns just one (US) dollar a day, works six days a week, and is paid once a month. Although women were granted the right to vote two years ago, most are not allowed to work outside of their family community. Thus, poverty-stricken women and children swarm among the tourists begging feverishly.

Muslims make up 95% of the population. A Muslim man can marry four wives, each with five children on average. With twenty-five hungry mouths to feed, most of his money is spent on rice and beans. Due to malnutrition, it is common to see children with swollen bellies and bony arms and legs.

By law, when a woman marries, she is required to convert to her husband’s religion; therefore, Muslim men will seek out Christian women on purpose. Also, Muslim schools offer free education which is paid for by public schools with expensive fees. This creates a religious strength in children from youth.

Another final control method is through witch doctor voodoo. Wives are threatened with a death curse if they are disobedient or leave their husbands. Actually, it’s not the curse that will cause it to disappear; it is malnutrition, disease, lack of education and lack of income.

Although Gambian women live in a male-dominated society, their spirits seek truth and dignity. During Christian church services, Muslim women often peek over the back walls as they listen to the sermon on loudspeakers. They are camouflaged in multiple layers of fabric to hide their identity.

I was honored to be a guest at the presidential dinner celebrations and was excited to mingle with other world leaders, but my highlight was inspiring Banjul students to live a full life and stay hopeful. The ladies were so grateful; they gave me a set of scarves.

African life is hard! Your daily challenges are to find the basics: food, clothing and shelter. The key to empowerment is to become less in order to become more. Empowerment comes when least expected, causing one to bravely rise above the circumstances that surround them.

I will always remember the kindest spirits of the Gambian people; They are the funniest I have ever met. I’m not sure if I would volunteer for another tour of duty in Africa; but if you ask me, I would probably go back.