Back and Next - Back and NextA tangible initiative
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Editorial
For centuries, women the world over have been subjected to all forms of violence and discrimination. They occupy the lowest ranks in social stratifications as many cultures view them as subordinates to their men counterparts; they are mostly relegated to the level of recipients of aids, as people meant for their husbands house only.
This has resulted to the girl child been denied access to any formal education, which has further resulted to her perpetual impoverishment as she is only engaged in reproductive work, from dawn to dusk, without any monetary gain or recognition whatsoever.
This reality tantamount to the curtailment of women’s right as human beings, as power, property and status are solely vested in the hands of the men, and the social norms and values under which people operate, patriarchal.
The world’s initiative to breaking down dogmatic cultural barriers and educate the women folk so that they can become conscious of their human rights, participate in development and decision making, and be co-opted into paid employment schemes is a tangible initiative.
As the saying goes, educate a man, you educate an individual; but educate a woman and you educate a nation. We are optimistic that this will put an end to the vicious circle of poverty among women and carve a new sense of direction for the world.
In the Gambia, thanks to the visionary leadership of President Yahya Jammeh, gender mainstreaming is at the core of the state development policy. The free education for girl scheme, FAWEGAM’s education for all girls project, and a host of other initiatives designed to liberate the girl child from ignorance will go a long way in materialising our vision 2020 dream.
Besides, there can be no meaningful socio- economic development in the absence of women and we hope that other stakeholders that are yet to come on board will join the campaign to support in educating the girl child.
For centuries, women the world over have been subjected to all forms of violence and discrimination. They occupy the lowest ranks in social stratifications as many cultures view them as subordinates to their men counterparts; they are mostly relegated to the level of recipients of aids, as people meant for their husbands house only.
This has resulted to the girl child been denied access to any formal education, which has further resulted to her perpetual impoverishment as she is only engaged in reproductive work, from dawn to dusk, without any monetary gain or recognition whatsoever.
This reality tantamount to the curtailment of women’s right as human beings, as power, property and status are solely vested in the hands of the men, and the social norms and values under which people operate, patriarchal.
The world’s initiative to breaking down dogmatic cultural barriers and educate the women folk so that they can become conscious of their human rights, participate in development and decision making, and be co-opted into paid employment schemes is a tangible initiative.
As the saying goes, educate a man, you educate an individual; but educate a woman and you educate a nation. We are optimistic that this will put an end to the vicious circle of poverty among women and carve a new sense of direction for the world.
In the Gambia, thanks to the visionary leadership of President Yahya Jammeh, gender mainstreaming is at the core of the state development policy. The free education for girl scheme, FAWEGAM’s education for all girls project, and a host of other initiatives designed to liberate the girl child from ignorance will go a long way in materialising our vision 2020 dream.
Besides, there can be no meaningful socio- economic development in the absence of women and we hope that other stakeholders that are yet to come on board will join the campaign to support in educating the girl child.
Author: DO
See Also - See Also