On Monday June 24th in presence of esteemed colleagues and partners Alliance Française de Banjul and the French Embassy launched the “We together for women’s empowerment: promoting women’s expression through arts, culture, debate, and entrepreneurship”.
This new project aims to contribute to reducing gender inequality and promoting women’s empowerment in the Gambian society by:
• Raising awareness on issues related to women’s rights, women’s empowerment, and gender equality through arts, culture, and debates
• Promoting the work of women artists, entrepreneurs, activists, and bringing forward the voice of inspiring women
• Supporting the work of CSOs working on women’s empowerment and gender equality
• Promoting capacity building for young Gambian women
Alongside various stakeholders such as schools, CSOs, artists, media, entrepreneurs we are really proud to run this project putting women in the center of our action.
Thank you to our partners in this project: Girls’ Pride Gambia, Women in Liberation and Leadership (WILL), Amnesty International Local Groups The Gambia KM, Gambia Tech Project and Women’s Association for Women & Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE).
This project is funded by the French Embassy in Senegal and The Gambia and implemented by the Alliance as part of the “We together for women’s empowerment” project: promoting women’s expression through the arts, culture, debate and entrepreneurship.
To find out more, click here to read the article published in Standard Newspaper.
July 2024: Women4Women Dialogue & Expressive Arts Therapy initiative promoting solidarity and empowering women through artistic expression and positive masculinity workshops.
October 2024: Skill Building Workshop focusing on teaching women practical skills, such as tie and dye and beading, to foster financial independence.
To find out more, click here to read the article published in Standard Newspaper.
Forum on Women’s Empowerment, Gender Equality, and Peacebuilding
With Amnesty International: 100 participants (55 women, 45 men) discuss the economic, social, and cultural rights of women, with insights on strengthening economic policies and creating support networks.
In-depth discussion on the challenges related to gender equality and peacebuilding.
20 young ambassadors (15 women, 5 men) trained on: – Leadership – Gender Equality – Reproductive Health – Gender-Based Violence.
Creation of a club for young female and male ambassadors who had the opportunity to meet inspiring women from institutions, associations, companies, and civil society to enrich their knowledge of human rights and gender equality. Logistical and financial support is
provided to enable them to organize events to raise awareness among their peers on these
issues.
The GIRLS PRIDE project, held from October 21-25, 2024, aimed to empower student ambassadors to educate their peers on menstrual health and hygiene management (MHHM) and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) through game-based learning.
The initiative targeted 20 public schools in Region 2, Gambia, training 500 students and 20 teachers using the Funneh board game. Photographer Nadia Ferroukhi participated in some workshops and presented her works, enhancing the educational experience. The project successfully increased awareness and reduced stigma around menstruation and SGBV, receiving positive feedback for its engaging learning methods.
October 1-31, 2024: Residency of Ina Makosi and traveling photographic exhibition showcasing Gambian women in diverse roles, from craftsmanship to entrepreneurship.
To find out more, click here to read the article published in Standard Newspaper.
October 1-31, 2024: Residency of Nadia Ferroukhi and photographic exhibition on ancestral traditions and the role of women in Gambia, with a focus on female genital mutilation and the evolution of women’s roles.
To find out more, click here to read the article published in Standard Newspaper.
Here is a presentation of the two photographers at the end of their residency.
Creation of an annual, itinerant, and multimedia exhibition of twelve portraits of female figures in The Gambia. These posters will gradually be unveiled, two a month, in two of the city’s key locations: on Kairaba Avenue, and on Opp Prison Mile 2 Banjul Highway. The exhibition will run until April.
Photographer Lena Nian. Portrait of 12 women displayed on 3×4 billboards.
Examples:
● Maiyai Taal Hocheimy – Marine scientist / National Geographic Explorer
● Maimuna Jabbi – Activist / Green Wall
● Dr. Jorjoh Ndure – STEM
● Fatou Baldeh – Activist
● Ida Faal – Mechanic
First performance of the Comic-Concert “Les Vies Dansent” at the Alliance Française in collaboration with the Orchestre National de Picardie and traditional Gambian musicians. A unique visual and auditory experience with live music synchronized with comic book images by Dominique Zay and Damien Cuvillier.
School performances to follow.
The Alliance Française of Banjul, in partnership with WAVE association and WILL association, launched the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign against gender-based violence. The event aimed to raise awareness and mobilize various stakeholders to combat violence against women, with a focus on women’s empowerment, including women with disabilities, with the support of the French Embassy.
To find out more, click here to read the article published in Standard Newspaper.
During a midway celebration of the “We Together for Women’s Empowerment” project, the Alliance Française brought together its key partners (Women In Liberation, Girls Pride, WAVE, and Amnesty International) to assess the progress made since June 2024.
The event, supported by the French Embassy, UNFPA, and other organizations, highlighted significant achievements: training young women, supporting female entrepreneurs, raising awareness against gender-based violence, and promoting women’s rights through artistic and cultural initiatives.
French Chargé d’Affaires Stéphane Dovert emphasized the importance of this feminist diplomacy, which concretely supports women’s emancipation. The partners shared their perspectives and future plans, confirming the project’s positive momentum at the midway point.
To find out more, click here to read the article published in Standard Newspaper.