Pro-Hope International - The Gambia, on Friday, decorated Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, vice president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs as well as  Honourable Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly with  78 other prominent Gambian women activist.

The awardees include Hon. Tina Faal, nominated member of the National Assembly; Hon. Ouley Sey, nominated member, National Assembly; Hon. Haddy Nyang-Jagne, NAM for Jeshwang; Hon. Bintanding Jarjue, NAM for Foni Brefet; Nyima Sata Sanneh-Bojang, former nominated member; Mamy Minteh, wife of SoS Yankuba Touray and Neneh Bala Gaye, wife of SoS Musa Gibril Bala Gaye.

The decorations were part  of the formal launching of the Ribbon Campaign by Vice President Njie-Saidy and activities commemorating the 2007 16-Days of Activitism Against Gender-based Violence.

The Ribbon Campaigns are used as a show of solidarity for various victims of man’s inhumanity to man.

Speaking at her office, shortly after being decorated, Vice President Njie-Saidy commended the organisation and assured them of her office’s continued support.

Addressing women at the Assembly grounds shortly after being decorated, Speaker FJC thanked the organisers for recognising her tireless efforts for the welfare of women. She assured them of her continued efforts to ensuring the empowerment of Gambian women and all oppressed women in the world.

She highlighted the Jammeh administration’s position in women empowerment noting that the women folk are confortable in the Jammeh administration as he is doing everything for them. “The Jammeh administration places women empowerment high in its priorities,” she affirmed. She then urged the women to keep up the momentum in supporting President Jammeh.

At the Vice President’s office, Mrs Sireh Bah, programme officer, Pro-Hope International - The Gambia, saluted Vice President Njie-Saidy for demonstrating deep commitment to the welfare of Gambian women and all oppressed women of the world. She noted that the commitment of Vice President Njie-Saidy to the emancipation of women is praise-worthy and serves as a role model for others in positions of responsibility.

She briefed Vice President Njie-Saidy on the 16-Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

“It is not surprising that the global community declared a whole 16 Days to focus on eradicating gender-based violence. Since 1991, the 16-Days campaign has helped to raise awareness about gender violence and has highlighted its effects on women globally,” she said. She then described violence against women as a global phenomenon and a great hindrance to sustainable development. She observed the overwhelming evidence of gross violation against women in the USA, Canada, UK and other European countries.

She urged all and sundry to pause to consider their individual contributions to the fight and consider that injustice to one is injustice to all and that there is no room for complacency. She also urged civil society organisations to rise up to challenge and unite.

She further observed that to achieve genuine world peace, the principle of gender sensitivity must be inculcated into every activity, culture, religion, family as well as individual lives noting that gender violence is a cankerworm and a terrible menace that affects the confidence and wellbeing of its victims and must be kicked out entirely.

Nyima Sata Sanneh-Bojang, former nominated member of the assembly chaired both ceremonies.