K Baldeh Adama is a teacher in Armitage Senior Secondary School, Jangang Bureh, Central River Region SS The Gambia.
Women and Girls’ Education
Over the years, significant strides have been made to make education accessible to girls in the Gambia. There have been achievements as quite a good number of girls have been enrolled in primary school and there is provision of free education for girls in public schools up to high school level. This was geared towards the attainment of gender parity and SDG4.
However, there are numerous obstacles to girls’ education, particularly in the rural areas, ranging from social, cultural and economic issues that put them at a disadvantage.
Cultural practices such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and cutting discrimination, excessive household chores and gender stereotypes have been barriers to the education of rural girls. As a result, they do not acquire the knowledge and skills needed to compete in the labour market; nor gain socio-emotional and life skills to navigate and adapt to a changing world.
I was the first female in my family to go school, from a community where girls’ education was not given as much consideration as that of the boys. These are some of the challenges I had to conquer. I needed to break the cultural barriers that limit the girl-child to only the matrimonial home and allow me to reach the level where I am today, making an impact in any ways I can. Little did I know I would reach this far but the passion to make a difference in my life through education and the support from educators who spotted the potential in me, made the journey possible.
Poverty is another factor affecting the education of rural girls. A large percentage of girls in rural Gambia are from underprivileged families. As a result, the girls lack the required economic support to pursue their education.
Also, the lack of, or limited access to transportation, prevent some rural girls from attending schools located far away from their homes. They are forced to walk long distances which renders them exhausted, they are usually not regular and not punctual. as their parents cannot afford bicycles or other means of transportation and this affects their academic performance. Therefore, boys continue performing better in school and become most productive in the communities while girls drop out or are withdrawn from school for marriage. These are reasons why some of my female school mates and my students who travel kilometers to school, drop out or opt for transfers to the urban areas where guardianship becomes an issue, thus exposing them to more dangers in the city. A rural girl who is not accustomed to city life is in most cases taken advantage of.
Aside from teaching, female teachers can play vital roles in schools. They can guide, coach and mentor girls and thus serve as role models. The absence or limited numbers of women in leadership roles and teaching positions in the rural areas can limit girls’ aspirations and opportunities.
There are several ways to address barriers and ensure that girls and women attain equality and equity in education. This can be done by removing financial barriers, providing scholarships and transportation facilities to make school more accessible.
The cultural and societal norms that hinder girls’ education can be challenged and transformed through sensitization, campaigns, community engagement and involvement of local leaders and influencers in promoting girls’ education. It will also be important to establish mentorship programs that connect girls with successful women who can inspire them. Role models and mentors help girls envision their potential and pursue their goals.
Coming from a rural area and having experienced some of these challenges, I opted for a rural posting so that in addition to teaching, I could conduct activities that are meant to empower rural girls, build their self-esteem and boost their confidence. This is made possible through the clubs I coordinate and through my engagement with the Gambia Teachers’ Union. My passion for girls’ education is fulfilling.
This article first appeared in Engage 27.
BY K BALDEH ADAMA • March 11, 2024
On 23rd January at the Cima Community School of Hope (ECEC), the first workshop was held with the first group of students as part of the STEM program. This activity marks a promising start to the program's implementation. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is crucial for children because it fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity from a young age. It nurtures natural curiosity, helps children understand the modern world, and builds resilience through hands-on experimentation. Additionally, early STEM exposure prepares them for future academic and career success. A total of 20 students participated in this first session. The session focused on a general presentation of the importance of computer programming in today's world. The students were also introduced to the Scratch software interface, an educational tool well-suited for teaching children programming. This initial experience went smoothly and generated considerable interest and strong motivation among the students.
At the Steve Sinnott Foundation, we know that planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do for the people and causes you care about. That’s why we’re delighted to offer our staff and volunteers the opportunity to write or update their will this Spring. Whether you’ve been meaning to get started for years, or you simply need to make a few updates, this is the perfect time to take that important step. Join Our Free Will Writing Webinar To help you get started, we’ve partnered with expert estate planners Octopus Legacy , who will be hosting a free webinar(s) covering everything you need to know about writing or updating your will. Staff & Volunteers 12pm, Thursday 5th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters 12pm, Tuesday 10th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration During the session, you’ll learn: Why it’s important to have an up-to-date will What to consider when writing or updating your will The different types of will-writing services available How Lasting Powers of Attorney work and why they matter How to claim your free will this Spring This webinar is designed to make what can feel like a complex process simple, clear and manageable. Why Having a Will Matters Having an up-to-date will ensures your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. Without one, the law decides how your estate is distributed and that may not reflect what you would have wanted. A will gives you peace of mind. It allows you to: Provide clarity and security for your family Appoint guardians for children if needed Make specific gifts to individuals or causes Ensure your estate is handled efficiently Updating your will is just as important as writing one. Life changes marriages, children, property purchases, or changes in circumstances can all affect your wishes. Claim Your Free Will This Spring As part of this initiative, eligible staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to claim a free will-writing service. Full details will be shared during the webinar, including how to access this benefit. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Writing or updating your will is one of the most responsible and caring decisions you can make for yourself and for those you care about. Register Now Spaces are available now, simply register using the link below: Staff & Volunteers - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration We hope you’ll join us on Thursday 5th March and take this positive step towards securing your future.
In my time as an assistant at The Steve Sinnott Foundation (SSF), one of my research tasks was looking into how the Foundation contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I really believe in the work of the Foundation and I have also been raising funds as I believe that every child must have the right to education. SSF is a UK-based educational charity focused on promoting quality education worldwide. It plays a supportive role in achieving the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 4: (Quality Education), but its work contributes to several others as well. Here's how the Foundation supports the SDGs: Goal 4 – Quality education (core focus) The Foundation's main mission is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It supports teachers and educational initiatives in developing countries. It runs programmes like: The Education for All Campaign – advocating for universal access to education. Teacher empowerment projects – providing training and resources to educators in under-resourced countries. Girls' education programmes – encouraging and supporting girls to stay in school and complete their education. Goal 3 – Good health and well-being Through education, particularly health-related programmes, the Foundation contributes to raising awareness about hygiene, nutrition, and mental health. The Foundation has developed a range of webinars to promote health and wellbeing and these can be found on YouTube. Goal 5 – Gender equality The Foundation promotes girls' education, directly addressing barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing school. It advocates for the rights of women and girls, especially in patriarchal or disadvantaged societies. Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth By improving access to education and vocational training, the Foundation helps create employment opportunities. Educated individuals have better chances of securing decent work. Goal 10 – Reduced inequalities It supports marginalised groups, including children in rural or conflict-affected areas, contributing to reducing global inequalities in education. Goal 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions Promotes education as a force for peace and conflict resolution. Supports democratic participation and awareness through educational programmes that foster community engagement. Goal 17 – Partnerships for the goals Collaborates with NGOs, unions, schools, and governments to deliver and advocate for education projects. Builds international partnerships to achieve the SDGs through education. Summary While The Steve Sinnott Foundation's primary focus is on Goal 4, it contributes to many of the SDGs by empowering communities through education, particularly: Gender equality (Goal 5), Health (Goal 3), Economic growth (Goal 8), Reducing inequality (Goal 10), Peace (Goal 16), and Partnerships (Goal 17). The Foundation’s programmes also contribute to the achievement of other SDGs through the power of the provision of education and life-long learning; 1. No Poverty, 2. Zero Hunger, 13. Climate Action. We believe that all of the 17 SDGs are only achievable by ensuring that all children, wherever they are born, deserve the human right of quality education. Over 250 million children are still out of school and the global out-of-school population has reduced by only 1% in nearly ten years, according to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024. There is still much work to do in achieving equitable and quality Education for All.
