Various institutions across the country Tuesday gathered at the Office of the Vice President and minister of Women’s Affairs at State House, to present their contributions to the commemoration of the International Women’s Day, slated for May 19th, 2012, in Janjangbureh, on the theme ‘empowering rural women’.

The sum of D56, 400 was given out at the presentation ceremony, plus equipment such as milling machines, among a host of others.

The donor institutions are Gamtel/Gamcel; Baby Mariam & Muhammed Jammeh’s Fans Club; GCCI; GIA, GEAPP; Gamstar Insurance Company, Cattle Dealers Association and Jah Oil Company.

Receiving the items on behalf of the women of the country, the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy described the donors as partners in women empowerment. She harped on the importance of women empowerment, particularly rural women, saying that if they are empowered the future is bright. “We really appreciate all the gesture and we believe it would go a long way in helping the women,” she further stated.

She reminded the gathering that CRR is the biggest region in the country and the people there are the most affected during last year’s crop failure in the country, stressing that the event would serve as a big relief for them. “Developing women means developing a society, and when women are empowered, business is boosted,” she stressed, while describing the president as a wise man who is surrounded by women including his great wife and mother. VP Njie-Saidy finally assured that the government would continue to create the enabling environment and that the gesture would be put to its intended purpose.

On her part, Fatou Mbye, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, described the donors as development partners while also hailing President Jammeh for creating an enabling business environment. She equally thanked the vice president for paving the way for the women of this country.

She described the donation as not only vital to the anniversary, but also to the development of women in the country, particularly rural women. The deputy speaker finally paid tribute to the Baby Mariam and Muhammed Jammeh Fans Club for their contribution to national development, recalling that they recently donated some materials to the Fajikunda Health Centre.

Acting executive director of Women’s Bureau, Bintou Gassama, also thanked the donors for the wonderful gesture, and reiterated that helping women is tantamount to helping a nation. She added that a lot has been done by the Gambian leader as well as the vice president in helping the women of this country.

Gamtel/Gamcel

Gamtel/Gamcel gave out the sum of D10, 000 and two milling machines. Madi K. Njie, the public relations officer of thetwo institutions said that the donation is in fulfilment of their corporate social responsibility and meant to complement the efforts of Gambian women in nation building.

He used the opportunity on behalf of the two companies to congratulate the Gambian leader for his victory in the last presidential election, while assuring that the two companies would continue to follow President Jammeh on his women empowerment initiatives.

Baby Mariam & Muhammed Jammeh’s Fans Club

The Baby Mariam and Muhammed Jammeh’s Fans Club also presented the sum of D3000 as their contribution to the International Women’s Day anniversary.

Adama Mbenga, a member of the Club said that the move is meant to show love and appreciation to the Women Federation, which she said, was established to empower the women of this country. She added that the gesture is meant to help women as they (youths) would one day be leaders and mothers of this country. “If you educate a man, you educate one, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation, and so the vice president you are the icon of us and we will follow your footsteps,” she stated.

GCCI

The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) presented the sum of D8000 and cooking ingredients such as rice, onion, cooking oil, tomato paste and some vegetables, among others.

Handing over the gesture, Beatrice Prom, manager, Cooperate Service at GCCI disclosed that the gesture came from their partners such as Lala’s Cleansing Services, which contributed the sum of D8000, among others. She said that they are very appreciative of the openness of the Office of the Vice President, and also hailed the women of the country for their hard work. She finally thanked all the partners and donors who extended benevolence to the GCCI, thus enabling her to contribute to the International Women’s Day anniversary in The Gambia.

GIA

The Gambia International Airline (GIA) presented a rice milling machine. Ebrima Sallah, director of Finance at GIA, said his company is very committed to the affairs of women in the country, and applauded President Jammeh for his unflinching support for women.

GEAPP

The Gambia Emergency and Agricultural Production Project (GEAPP) presented a coos milling machine as their contribution to the cause of women. Handing over the machine, the coordinator of GEAPP, Sheikh Tijan Sosseh said the donation is just a formality as they are working with women throughout the country. He then commended the leadership of the country for making it possible for GEAPP to achieve a lot.

He also commended Gambian women, saying that GEAPP’s successes came about because women managed well and have some mechanisms for sustainability. He finally disclosed that the World Bank was impressed by the women’s commitment to the project.

Gamstar

The Gamstar insurance company also contributed cash amounting to D4000 for the anniversary. Abdoulie Jadama, who presented the money on behalf of the company, said that they are also committed to the development of women. He added that the move is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, and vowed that their commitment to women would continue. He acknowledged that the company is able to do this due to the stable political environment in the country, and thanked the government for its continuous support.

Cattle Dealers Association

The Cattle Dealers Association also contributed the sum of D10,000 for the anniversary. The money was presented by Alhaji Kebba Jobe, who thanked the government for creating an enabling environment in the country.

Jah Oil Company

The Jah Oil Company presented the sum of D25, 000 as part of their contribution.