The Awareness and Gender Project under the Department of Information Services, last week organized a one-day orientation workshop for members of the committees on Islam in the five regions of the country,  held at the Supreme Islamic Council headquarters.

In her welcome remarks, Aisha Davies-Ann, director of Information Services, said one objective of the project is to raise awareness and promote behavioural change regarding gender. According to her, the role of religious leaders in contributing to this cannot be over-emphasised.  

For his part, Saikou JK Trawally, director - National Population Commission Secretariat, said faith-based groups countrywide represent the single most important mechanism through which religion and cultural beliefs motivate people for progress. According to him, the experience gained in implementing the population programme has shown clearly that social and cultural realities create both challenges and opportunities. For his part, Momodou Lamin Touray, president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, said religion has a role to play in any sector. He hailed the organisers for choosing to work with the Council and described the step as a positive one.