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.
As part of the Women’s Empowerment Project, the Alliance Française de Banjul hosted French artist Enora Lalet for a residency dedicated to celebrating Gambian women. In collaboration with Gambian photographer Lena Nian, Enora Lalet created five portraits blending gastronomy, photography, and social engagement.
Through her “Food Portraits” method, Enora Lalet used local food and materials to create ephemeral works highlighting the resilience of the Kenyeleng community. The portraits incorporate elements of Gambian culture, such as peanut shells, hibiscus flowers, and traditional fabrics.
This project, funded by the French Embassy in Senegal and The Gambia, aims to amplify women’s voices and promote their empowerment through the arts.
To learn more, click here to read the article published in Standard Newspaper.
Exhibition Opening: February 5, 2025, at the Alliance Française de Banjul
BATUTA DGINGNOR – ENORA LALET IN COLLABORATION WITH LENA NIAN (Exhibition Dates: February 5 – 28, 2025)
As part of the Women’s Empowerment Project, Enora Lalet’s exhibition Batuta Dgingnor (Magic Dolls in Mandinka) highlights the Kenyeleng community, using natural materials like beads and plants to symbolize the strength of women. In collaboration with photographer Lena Nian, this exhibition celebrates the role of Gambian women in society.
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Alliance Française de Banjul hosted the grand finale of the Funneh Board Game Competition, bringing together 20 schools from the region. This innovative educational game aims to raise awareness and knowledge about sensitive and often taboo topics, such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and menstrual hygiene.
Led by @girlspridegambia in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) and the French Embassy in Senegal and The Gambia, this initiative showcases how learning can be both enjoyable and impactful. The program has already trained 500 young ambassadors and 20 coordinating teachers, who now serve as agents of change within their communities.
To find out more, read the article published in The Point and The Voice Newspaper:
As part of the Women’s Empowerment Project, the Alliance Française de Banjul hosted a significant event on February 6, 2025, in honor of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Young ambassadors and students from various schools in the region participated in this event, combining artistic performances and civic engagement.
The participants conveyed messages about reproductive rights, health, and positive masculinity through artistic performances such as slam poetry, poetry, and theater. The Body Mapping exhibition also provided an opportunity for the youth to express their support for the fight against FGM and to showcase their commitment to a violence-free future.
This initiative offered an important platform for these young people to demonstrate their talent and determination to address crucial issues affecting their community.
As part of the Women’s Empowerment Project, the Alliance Française de Banjul hosted French graffiti artist K2B and her husband Naja for an artistic residency in February 2025. This project, funded by the French Embassy in Senegal and The Gambia, aimed to promote women’s expression through urban art.
K2B carried out an ambitious project involving the creation of 10 portraits of women in the public spaces of Serrekunda and Banjul. The murals included 4 portraits of Gambian women, 4 portraits of African women, and 2 portraits imagined by the artist. Among the women represented were iconic figures such as Aya Nakamura, Jaha Dukureh, Awa Bling, Fatou Diome, Wangari Maathai, and Fatou Jagne Senghor, highlighting the diversity and resilience of women.
Artist Naja enriched this residency with his active participation. As a multidisciplinary artist, he added a unique dimension to the project with his calligraphic creations.
On February 24, 2025, the inauguration of the mural depicting a woman, designed by K2B, took place at the EU Delegation. This event attracted media attention, and The Standard newspaper dedicated an article to this occasion.
K2B and Naja also conducted workshops with schoolchildren, teaching them how to use spray paint and fostering creativity and artistic expression among the youth.
On April 16, 2025, the Alliance Française de Banjul hosted the closing event of the Women Empowerment Project (WEP).
This ambitious project, carried out throughout 2024 and 2025, brought together artists, young ambassadors, civil society organizations, teachers, and institutions around a shared goal: promoting gender equality through arts, culture, and civic engagement.
A heartfelt thank you to our exceptional partners for their unwavering support throughout the project:
Girls Pride Gambia, WAVE Gambia, Women in Liberation, Amnesty Gambia and the French Embassy.
📸 Check out the event highlights below!