Women Activists

"I was kept in the dark throughout the process, despite making every effort to fully participate. However, Mrs. Fatoumatta Tambajang, for reasons unknown, was not forthcoming."

"Those in power are ignoring calls for political and economic reform. The conditions for political participation have been designed in a way that limits political pluralism, leaving many feeling powerless. Excessive power is concentrated in the hands of a few, and we need a new approach to governance that includes the people in decisions that impact them. Decision-makers are often not held accountable for their actions on behalf of others."

"Driven by a profound concern for The Gambia and a commitment to our nation's progress, free from repression, abuse, impunity, and persecution, I have closely observed the current situation over the years."

"Over the past two decades, I have traveled across this country, meeting hardworking men and women in cities, towns, and villages. I have listened to your frustrations and am deeply inspired and motivated by you, the people of Gambia, and by your desire for change despite immense economic hardship and limitations on our freedom and personal liberty."

"Twenty years of APRC rule has deprived them of opportunities to fulfill their aspirations and achieve their goals. The jobs, quality education, healthcare, and decent living their country failed to provide have driven many to risk everything by crossing the treacherous Mediterranean, where tragically, many lose their lives."

"I have come to understand the nature of the system during the process. Although I was present, it was unfair and undemocratic; there was a lack of transparency, and I was marginalized for not being included in it."

"For you to hold a convention that I was supposed to be part of, and then only present the document meant to legitimize my participation afterward, shows that we are not promoting good governance."

"If elected, I am committed to serving only a single five-year term, working alongside all those with the capability and dedication needed to rescue Gambia as it stands on the brink of collapse."

"The broom is a bundle of sticks bound together, with each stick representing an individual Gambian or group of Gambians who, while maintaining their individuality, are united in purpose. Together, they aim for one goal—to bring change and progress, symbolizing the unity and shared aspirations of the Gambia."

"Your votes have the power to defeat the APRC and are the tools to bring about the change you desire."

"I want us to create a Gambia that embraces the hearts and minds of all Gambians in the Diaspora, including those who left due to the hardships, persecution, fear, and abuses they experienced as private citizens, entrepreneurs, academics, politicians, and artists. More than anything, I envision a new Gambia marked by economic prosperity, freedom, the rule of law, peace, and stability."

"I urge all Gambians to actively participate in the elections to vote out the APRC regime."

"If elected, I will restore the sovereignty of the people, end impunity, and decentralize power and authority. I am committed to serving only one term, during which I will collaborate with all political parties and Gambians who are ready and willing to guide the country in a direction that addresses the needs and aspirations of the people."

"Despite all my efforts, I realized that I was not being recognized within the space. I understood that it was the same trust or lack thereof, that has existed for 22 years, a longstanding mistrust between the parties, and that this same feeling was now being directed towards me."

"In this mission, I seek your support to help build a brighter future for our country."

"We are not upholding transparency and accountability. If we begin like this, it's a non-starter, because we aim to bring about positive change."

"I have not shared them with the public because I believed it was an internal matter. It was important for us to address these issues privately, as it is all about promoting good governance, managing the process, and working as leaders to move The Gambia beyond its current situation."

"During that meeting, after making my presentation, there were comments. I took them into consideration, and when I returned the third time, I brought everything they suggested, as I believed it was critical, important, and addressed the need at hand."

"I was sidelined, marginalized, and discriminated against, but that didn’t affect me because I believed I joined this space to advance democracy for the people."

""I explained that I am available and still a reliable option they can trust. I am here to work for the country's progress, not for personal gain."

"I want to make it clear to the world that all these efforts are aimed at promoting democracy in The Gambia, because we all seek change, and those in the diaspora also desire positive change for our country."

"When the government of the First Republic was unconstitutionally overthrown in a military coup in 1994, Yahya Jammeh, then a young officer, claimed he wanted to end self-perpetuating rule and criticized what he called the extravagant lifestyle of the previous regime. However, in an ironic twist, he amended the constitution to remove term limits without consulting the people, allowing himself to remain in power for twenty years."

"I reject any call to transform The Gambia into an Islamic State, which seeks to divide us and pit us against one another. I will defend and strengthen the secular republican nature of our constitution, ensuring that every Gambian is free to practice their religion according to their beliefs. In a Gambia where democracy, good governance, and human rights prevail, I will restore the pride and spirit of the 'Smiling Coast' for all its people."

"We will encourage and motivate the private sector to create opportunities for young people to earn a decent living and achieve their dreams. We must protect The Gambia for our children and future generations, and open doors to development."

"We need change because the APRC regime has failed Gambians, leading a country facing economic hardship, unlawful arrests and detentions, and high youth unemployment."

"I am unable to make any decision at this time,"

"I am Dr. Isatou Touray, an independent candidate running for the office of President of the Republic of The Gambia."

"I entered the presidential race as an independent candidate to champion the will of the people, addressing the concerns of Gambians both at home and in the diaspora."

""I need to return to the people to consult with them."

"I did not pull out of the coalition; what actually happened is that I was sidelined. I joined with the intention of working in unity to achieve the common goal of bringing change to The Gambia—so that we could build a young generation ready to take on leadership and responsibility in the future, while creating an environment that enables the people to thrive."

"I have witnessed a Gambia in decline, with deteriorating institutions where those in authority misuse state power to spread fear and hopelessness among the people. Today, Gambians are not free to express their thoughts; fear and terror, fueled by the abuse of state power, have taken such a hold that most people look over their shoulders before they speak."

"The African women conceived the idea of the Womens Peace Train from Kampala to Johannesburg during the Second Preparatory Committee of the United Nations World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD). The objective of the Womens Peace Train (WPT) was to pass on a strong message to the continent leaders, war mongers, armies, guerrillas, arms traders, and dealers in the African continent that women wanted peace and stability for their children. In its ten-day journey across seven countries, the Peace Train called upon the ringleaders and perpetrators of wars in Africa to end them forthwith. Arguing that women in Africa bear the brunt of the war burden, African women saw the WSSD as a good opportunity to campaign for the end of these wars and used the peace train to pass on the peace message."

"Aid Evaporation is a new Nortion. It is based on an academic study that comprehensively examined how ODA is governed from the source to the destination. Key ODA parameters emerged from the existing ODA governance frameworks namely; mechanism, ideology, development approach and processes. By unpacking elements contributing to aid ineffectiveness through these parameters, exploring the existence of the aid evaporation and examining the key enablers of ODA Evaporatoon, the study discovered supply side factors contributed significantly to Aid ineffectiveness. It exposed different AID Evaporation enablers which play different hidden functions such as ODA Door Openers, Appetixers, Softeners, Sponges, Convertors, Controllers, Distorters as well as Carrot and Stick among others. Key findings revealed that the prevailing perception that aid ineffectiveness was a demand side problem was only part of the story because supply side challenges were probably more responsible for billions of ODA that could not be accounted for. It has recommended the re-writing of the narrative that ODA ineffectiveness is predominantly premised on demand side by incorporating supply side factors. Findings demonstrated that while there were indeed demand side challenges such as bad governance, corruption and lack of strong institutions, there were also supply (donor) side challenges such as over-reliance of donor's own inefficient ODA governance frameworks as well as ODA delivery mechanisms, the entrenchment of bilateral interest in ODA processess and geo- political interests among other factors. In this regard, the study confirmed that the 62% of the ODA that could not be accounted for according to existing literature was either held up in the pipeline or evaporates mostly from the supply side. This finding brought clarity on the weak impact of ODA and corroborated with existing literature on the mystery of unaccounted ODA. While the notion of aid evaporation emerged as an attribution and part of a reflection on the problem of ODA dissipation at the preliminary stage of the literature review, it became the central issue of focus throughout the research investigation which involved substantive field work to bring clarity on the problem. The study has made theoretical and practical contributions to the existing concepts on ODA governance and proposed a new concept, namely the “Supply Baggage Concept”. The new concept should inform the Post Paris era in achieving Aid effectiveness by weding out Evaporation, using the Aid Evaporation Detection Framework proposed in this book"

"If it teaches us anything, it’s that life is fickle. That we mustn't bank on tomorrow. That today, and in fact now, is all we've got."

"can confidently say that this leadership came from God and that I am answerable to God and the people (servant leadership)."

"want to stand where the people want me to stand as long as it doesn't contravene the law and also push for revision of bad laws."

"I joined politics to add a voice to the legal voice so that voices of suffering Ugandans can reach far. To participate in making laws that are not against the people and to push for revision of bad laws and outdated ones."

"In 2019, I got 100 People Power files, 25 cases were dismissed, 65 still pending in court, 10 are reporting on police bond."

"I joined as a legal representative of oppressed People Power supporters that face arrests. I was later appointed head of legal for the People Power Women League."

"The most important thing is to manage and keep time for home, work politics, parents and family. I allocate time. I don’t carry politics home unless I am seeking guidance or advice,”"

"I have a number of challenges, very many but intimidation by the state operatives is key."

"A leadership that is substantial than formal, politics that is real other than dramatic. Leadership that tackles issues affecting the transport sector, hawkers, street vendors, landlords and tenants, women and children, the business community etc. A leadership that is conscious of the core values of discipline, reliability, inclusiveness, integrity, Fidelity and service."

"I like to think of stairs, if I may. Stairs because we have climbed a few steps, but a lot more steps remain to be climbed on the way up to the top."

"When a girl reaches school age, will her family be able to afford to send her to school—and keep her there? Or will they keep her home to do chores, while her brothers learn?"

"There cannot be an alternative to access to education or knowledge."

"It is a very good thing that parents have recognized that both boys and girls deserve the same chance at formal education."

"Getting girls into a classroom is not enough in itself; girls have to be able to stay in school and get proper education once enrolled"

"And she’s not alone in that fight. It might look like quite a few people are interested in seeing her fail, but there are also many who want her to succeed."

"Women must be a key partner in preventing the propagation of offensive stereotypes and views."

"Girls are more aware of their rights and have the cour­age to submit complaints against harassers to the police."