Soroptimist International of Banjul (SIB), a worldwide organisation for women in management profession, and a global voice for women, through awareness, advocacy and action, in collaboration with its sister organisations in The Gambia, recently commemorated World Literacy Day at a ceremony held at Soroptimist Head Office in Kanifing. The theme for this year’s celebration was “literacy, key to good health and well-beings”.

Speaking at the ceremony, Beatrice Prome, President of Soroptimist International of Banjul expounded on the importance of literacy.  According to her, education is the key to success, adding that Soroptimist aims to make education affordable to the girl child. 

According to her, Soroptimist has also engaged in vigorous campaigns against negative approaches towards the girl child.

For his part, Mamadou Saho, a representative of FAWEGAM, said literacy liberates the mind from ignorance to more noble pursuits, adding that girls’ education is paramount to national development. He added that “education is escalating everyday and that it is the duty of parents to send girl child to schools”. 

He mentioned that FAWEGAM raised much concern on the education of the girl child. “FAWEGAM is sponsoring about 800 girls in Western Region last year to attain education and among them eight are at the University of The Gambia,” Mr Saho said.

Ismaila Ceesay, Director of Insight Training Centre, said it is not an exaggeration to  celebrate literacy day, and then noted that educating a women is educating a whole nation. 

Other speakers at the occasion included Bakary Camara, a representative of NAWFA and Mrs Cathy Goswell, who chaired the ceremony.

The ceremony was characterised by presentation of songs, by Soroptimist sponsored children.