Gambian women left behind after fighting for democracy
Women who led the 'Kalama Revolution' against dictator Jammeh now find themselves excluded from power-sharing.
Adama Bah, a politician and traditional singer from Sukuta, recalls the "Kalama Revolution" in April 2016 when women carried calabashes and brooms to the courthouse. This protest movement emerged from frustration with dictator Yahya Jammeh's regime, leading to the arrest of Ousainu Darboe and dozens of United Democratic Party (UDP) members. Bah stated that fear left the city as women stormed Banjul, contributing to Jammeh's eventual defeat.
A decade after their sacrifices, women who were at the forefront of the struggle for democracy in Gambia have been systematically excluded from power. Bah, who joined the UDP in 1996, noted that many of her colleagues from the "Kalama Revolution" are now deceased or too old, their bodies broken by state-sponsored abuse. Iconic figures like Nogoi Njie and Sukai Dahaba have passed away, leaving a legacy of betrayal where women are used for political gain but discarded during power distribution.
Bah explained that politicians establish parties with women in mind, but it is the women who endure hardship, leaving their homes and children to support politicians in remote areas. She believes a lack of formal education is a significant barrier, preventing women like herself from holding positions. She stated, "Personally, I don’t have a position because I am not educated. If I was, I would be given a position."
Why it mattersWomen who risked their lives and endured abuse to help end dictator Jammeh's rule are now being denied positions in government.