Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Women leaders in The Gambia have renewed calls for greater female participation in leadership and decision-making, stressing the resilience required for women to navigate politics and public life.
The call was made during a Tea Time & Conversations: Women in Leadership & Politics event organized by The Woman Boss to commemorate International Women’s Day.
The gathering brought together aspiring women leaders, professionals, and policymakers for an afternoon of reflection and dialogue. The panel featured former vice presidents Fatoumatta Tambajang and Isatou Touray alongside the mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe.
Organizers described the event as more than a panel discussion, calling it “a moment to reflect, connect, and amplify the voices shaping our future.”
Breaking barriers in leadership
Speaking during the conversation, Lowe reflected on the realities women face when entering political and leadership spaces historically dominated by men.
Lowe, who made history as the first female mayor of Banjul and is now serving her second term, said women in politics often have to work twice as hard to prove their competence.
She stressed that increasing the number of women in leadership positions is critical to ensuring inclusive governance.
“Women have the capacity to lead and to transform our communities,” she said, noting that women leaders often bring perspectives that are missing in policy and development discussions.
Tambajang recounts a personal journey.
Tambajang used the platform to share her own story of perseverance, recounting how her leadership journey began from humble beginnings.
She told the audience that she married at the age of 16 and initially lived as a stay-at-home wife. With the support of her husband, however, she later pursued education and entered public service, eventually becoming one of the most prominent women in Gambian politics.
Tambajang later served as Vice President during the country’s 2017 coalition government, becoming the only woman among the nation’s top leadership during a crucial democratic transition.
For Tambajang, leadership is about service rather than personal benefit.
“I have worked throughout my life, and I am comfortable,” she said. “My interest in leadership is not about money but about serving the country and leading with dignity.”
She also reaffirmed her intention to contest the 2026 presidential election, saying her experience and commitment to public service could contribute to the country’s development.
Mentoring the next generation and Global calls for gender equality
Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized the importance of mentoring young women and creating more opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in politics and governance.
Participants described the event as inspiring, noting that hearing personal stories from women who have broken barriers in leadership encourages the next generation to pursue similar paths.
International Women’s Day celebrations also saw global leaders highlight the need to accelerate progress toward gender equality.
Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, said empowering women and girls remains central to achieving sustainable development and strengthening democratic systems.
Similarly, Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, stressed that advancing women’s rights requires collective action from governments, institutions, and communities.
She noted that despite global progress, women continue to face barriers such as discrimination, violence, and underrepresentation in leadership positions.
As International Women’s Day celebrations continue worldwide, speakers at the Banjul event said the experiences of Gambian women leaders underscore the importance of representation, resilience, and mentorship in advancing gender equality.
For many young women who attended the discussion, the stories shared by the panelists illustrated that while leadership journeys are rarely straightforward, determination, support, and opportunity can open doors for women to shape the future of their communities.
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