Nenneh Macdooll Gaye, Chairperson of the Access to Information Commission, highlighted the pivotal role of media and information in advancing gender equality in The Gambia at an event organized in partnership with the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJAC). Addressing participants, she emphasized the power of media in fostering social change and empowering young women.

At the event, Gaye commended MAJAC for securing an initiative focused on empowering young women in the media through information literacy training. “Your work in developing journalism in The Gambia is commendable and critical to the nation’s progress,” she noted.

Gaye’s speech focused on Harnessing the Power of Media and Information for Gender Equality in The Gambia, where she stressed that gender equality is a fundamental aspect of any nation’s development. “We all recognize that gender equality is not only a human right but also a driver of sustainable development,” she stated.

She explained how gender equality contributes to society by promoting equal access to education, healthcare, financial resources, and social support. “When we ensure equal opportunities for men and women, we strengthen communities and foster economic growth,” she added.

Highlighting the positive shifts in attitudes toward gender, Gaye cited educational statistics, such as the 2024 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), where more female candidates achieved five credits than their male counterparts. “This reflects the positive changes in attitudes toward women’s education,” she remarked.

Despite the progress made, Gaye pointed out the persistent challenges, including gender-based violence, political underrepresentation, cultural biases, and economic inequality. She stressed that while media has played a significant role in raising awareness of these issues, there is still much work to be done.

She praised the growth of female representation in the media, especially the contributions of the Gambia Women Journalists Association (GWJA), which has actively worked to promote gender equality in the industry.

Gaye emphasized the importance of using the media as a tool for education and awareness. “The media can influence policies, shape public perception, and break down gender stereotypes,” she said. She urged media practitioners to continue using their platforms to champion gender equality and ensure that women’s voices are heard in all sectors of society.

Concluding her address, Gaye updated the audience on the Access to Information Commission’s progress, announcing plans to establish a secretariat to make the commission fully operational. “Access to information is a human right recognized under international law, and it plays a crucial role in promoting good governance and fighting corruption,” she said.

Gaye ended by encouraging the media to strategically harness its power to advocate for gender equality and empower women across The Gambia.

In partnership with Rog Agency, the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) has officially launched the Young Women’s Media and Information Literacy Initiative (YoMIL) in The Gambia.

The initiative aims to empower 280 young women across the country, enhance their participation in the media sector through media and information literacy training, and equip them with the tools to contribute confidently to the media landscape.

In his opening statement, James Badjie, the Director of Training at MAJaC, expressed his excitement about the program. “I am happy to welcome you all to this wonderful program as we officially launch the Young Women’s Media Information Literacy Initiative. This collaboration between MAJaC and Rog Agency for Open Culture and Critical Transformation represents a powerful step towards fostering a more inclusive media landscape in The Gambia. At the heart of this project lies a profound commitment to young women, enhancing their participation in the media sector and providing them with the tools to contribute to professionalism,” Badjie said.

He further emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that it is not only about imparting knowledge but also about laying the groundwork for the future voices of women in media. Badjie also acknowledged the significant role played by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in funding the initiative. He commended the hard work of MAJaC’s team, particularly Meita Touray, Banna Sabally, and Mr. Jobe, for their efforts in making the project a reality.

Meita Touray, Project Manager for YoMIL and a Trainer at MAJaC, provided an overview of the project. She highlighted the project’s core objective of empowering young women in The Gambia through media literacy training. “This one-year project is fully sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, at the tune of 145,975 euros. The project aims to promote the inclusion of young women in the media sector, enhancing their confidence to contribute to strengthening democracy in The Gambia,” Touray explained.

Touray also addressed the challenges faced by women in the media sector, such as gender inequality, lack of institutional support, and limited decision-making spaces. Despite these hurdles, she noted the increasing interest and enrollment of young women in media training programs, such as at the University of The Gambia and MAJaC. The #YoMIL project aims to address these challenges by offering training in areas such as digital literacy, advocacy, critical thinking, and media production.

Nyima Jadama, founder and content lead of the project, encouraged the young women present to believe in their capabilities as journalists. “This training will help strengthen your skills and enable you to navigate the challenges of journalism in The Gambia. We want to see every young woman journalist take their work seriously and position themselves for leadership in their field,” Jadama said.

Nenneh Macdooll Gaye, Chairperson of the Access to Information Commission and keynote speaker, focused on the importance of harnessing the power of media and information for gender equality. “The media plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality, shaping public opinion, and creating awareness. It is through the media that we can challenge stereotypes, advocate for equal opportunities, and foster inclusive development,” she said.

Amie Bojang Sissoho, Press and Public Relations Officer for the Office of the President, also spoke at the event, underscoring the relevance of media information literacy in the digital age. She emphasized the need for young women to take control of technology and use the media as a tool for positive change, especially in an era of misinformation and fake news.

The YoMIL project will train 280 young women from various regions of The Gambia and produce the first Young Women’s Media Guide, complemented by a digital app. This guide will serve as a resource for young women to navigate the media industry with confidence. The project marks a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and gender-equitable media environment in The Gambia.

Meita Touray, Project Manager for the #YoMIL initiative and a trainer at the Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC), is leading efforts to empower young women in The Gambia through media literacy training. As part of a one-year project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, at a cost of 145,975 euros, Touray focuses on increasing women’s participation in the media sector and building their confidence to strengthen democracy in The Gambia.

In a recent statement, Touray shared her vision for the #YoMIL project and the need for more women to step into roles within the media industry. “The goal is to ensure young women are not only included but empowered to use media as a tool for advocacy and change,” she explained. Touray’s initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in The Gambia’s media landscape by equipping young women with essential skills such as digital literacy, advocacy, critical thinking, and media production.

Through these training programs, women are better positioned to engage with critical issues, advocate for themselves and others, and contribute meaningfully to democratic governance. “This project is about giving young women the confidence and competence they need to be active in the media space,” Touray emphasized.

However, she acknowledged the persistent challenges women in media face, including gender inequality, lack of institutional support, and limited decision-making power. Despite these challenges, there has been a noticeable increase in the interest and enrollment of young women in media training programs offered at institutions such as the University of The Gambia and MAJaC.

“We’re seeing more young women stepping forward to learn, but there is still a long way to go in breaking the barriers of inequality,” Touray remarked. The #YoMIL project, which stands for Youth Media and Information Literacy, is designed to tackle these challenges by providing women with the tools to succeed.

Touray envisions a future where the media industry in The Gambia is more inclusive and diverse, with women playing central roles in both content creation and decision-making processes. By equipping young women with the right skills, the project hopes to dismantle barriers and pave the way for women to thrive in the sector.

As the #YoMIL project continues, Touray remains dedicated to its mission of transforming The Gambia’s media landscape. “We are not just training women; we are empowering them to be voices for change,” she said.

Through her leadership, Meita Touray is not only promoting media literacy but also helping to create a future where Gambian women take their place at the forefront of the media industry, making significant contributions to both the profession and the democratic governance of the country.