Editorial

Activities marking another International Women’s Day are in progress. The day is a period of reflection on progress made on the plight of women worldwide. It is also a day for women to identify prevailing as well as emerging constraints and challenges; and discussing and pursuing appropriate solutions for sustained growth and advancement of women in all spheres of development.

It is a time for celebration, reflection and a time to keep hopes alive. The day recognises and celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women; draw on lessons learnt and more especially remain encouraged of what lies ahead. This year’s theme "Empower rural women - end hunger and poverty", is perhaps the most befitting.Statistics show rural women perform all domestic tasks, while many also farm and trade.

They are responsible for the care of children, the sick and the elderly, in addition to performing essential social functions within their communities. They seek to manage the environment, although their struggle for survival often results in environmental damage from activities such as fuel-wood collection. Their empowerment is therefore a major arsenal against poverty which breeds hunger and all other anti-progressive vices.

It goes without saying that women have been very much alive to their responsibilities to their families, their communities, their nations and the world at large.This is evidenced every day in our encounters with our mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces, and so, in their perpetual struggle to make life comfortable, and worth living, to say the least.Ending poverty and hunger cannot therefore be achieved in isolation of their empowerment.

The Gambia for its part has witnessed landmark achievements in overall women empowerment. Rural women are being supported by the government to engage in meaningful sustainable enterprises ranging from agriculture to full-time entrepreneurship.The creation of the Women Federation will obviously entrench the gains and push for more success. Young girls are also motivated to venture into education through scholarships initiated by the leadership. The end results of this have been an increase in the number of female science students, engineers, technicians and mechanics among other disciplines.  

Everyone must therefore be a player in advancing the cause of women.