Marc 8 is been observed through out the world as an International solidarity
day with women. The long battle for equality by Gambian women   still remains
a history in the making. Since Independent their contribution to the political
life of the country have been cornered to that of "Fan Clubs" and YAYI KOMPINS
and the semi feudal nature of the Gambian society continue to strangle them in
the corner of motherhood, bearing children, finding food and house wives. The
majority of Gambian women live in acute poverty whiles they remain the touch
bearers of hope in the society.
But this has never led to any surrendering of their wish and desire of a
better society. Their love songs are full of protest and the stories they tell
their children in the night portray the inhuman conditions they are subjected
to live .I grew up with one of these stories; A woman who when to pay her tax
to the king never returned back home, she was murdered for reasons beyond
reason. There are plenty of such stories, perhaps one day we will come to
recognise that these are also forms of struggle.
After Independence, it took us even long to arrive at Louis Njie and it took
time to go beyond that level. The women's Bureau emerged as the talking drum
of the establishment and today we have plenty of women gender activist who
dear to go further than the limits set by men domination. One would recall the
great efforts of sisters like Satang Jobarteh during the last elections; they
struggled to put on the political agenda very important issues that have for
years not been recognised in the political life of our country. These are
sisters who have and are sacrificing a lot to make women struggle for equality
in our society to become an uncompromising political issue in the country.
They are running institutions, programmes etc all in the efforts of empowering
women. Perhaps it is time for some of us to start thinking of ways of
contributing to theses struggles too, perhaps the next donation contribution
collections should go to them. Happy   March 8 sisters.

For Freedom
Saiks

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