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Momodou
Denmark
11738 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 14:06:26
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Women Demand Review Of Customary Law
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Dr. Kujejatou Manneh-Jallow, Action Aid International’s Country Director of The Gambia has called on the government to review the Land (Provinces) Act of 1955 with a view to making it better accommodate the needs of women farmers throughout the country.
Dr. Manneh-Jallow was addressing hundreds of campaigners at the 17 October Park (Latrikunda Buffer Zone) at the recent launching of the “Hunger Free” campaigns organised by her office, the National Women Farmers’ Association (NAWFA) and the National Alliance for Food Security (NaYAFS).
Dr. Manneh-Jallow is also advocating for the government and legislators to allocate more budget (15% of national income) to the agriculture sector with a special budget target (at least 7% of agriculture budget) to support specific women’s activities such as credit and inputs. “Our cereal Banking schemes integrate the school feeding programme in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and encourage the World Food Programme (WFP) to purchase food for schools and emergencies from the banks managed by communities,” she said.
That Action Aid Country Director also said NAWFA has secured about 3,000 hectares of land, which is being demarcated and documented for registration in the names of the women participants. “The target we have set is 12,000 hectares at a rate of 0.25 hectare per woman for the 48,000 women members of NAWFA with anticipated room for expansion to cover other women across the country,” Dr. Manneh-Jallow pointed out.
Deputising for the Vice President, Fatou Jassey-Kuyateh said she is deeply moved by the type of partnership being initiated and promoted between Action Aid and other organisations working on the campaign.
“The theme for this campaign “land right for women,” is very apt and timely. The FAO estimates that globally women grow 80 percent of the food we eat; yet only 10 percent of them own land. In the Gambia, women constitute over 65% of the people engaged in farming and of course, 50% of our population. Therefore, any support designed towards the development of this section of our society is indeed in the right direction,” Mrs. Jassey-Kuyateh said.
She assured the gathering that The Gambia Government welcomes the idea and will continue to do everything it can to create the enabling environment for this and similar initiatives to be promoted. “This will significantly contribute to the achievement of our development objectives and the overall advancement of women in this country,” she said.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 128/2007, 31 October - 1 September, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 19:17:24
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This is another interesting project by action aid in Gambia.
Empowering women!  |
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toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 20:57:57
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Seems sensible,but I expect the men will not like it,a woman owning land,whatever next! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 22:24:39
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
Seems sensible,but I expect the men will not like it,a woman owning land,whatever next!
Land ownership in the Gambia is communal except in urban areas. A piece of the land in the rural areas belongs to the whole family not only Men. In the urban areas, women buy property and are building houses.
Land is not bought and sold in the rural areas.
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“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 22:35:12
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| Oh Yes it is bought and sold and it is the men that do all the business! |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 23:19:21
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Not in the Gambia i know. Land is customery in the rural areas. Its only in the urban areas that land is bought and sold.
Towns like Farafenni, Bansang, Basse Soma etc do sell land because of the demand and limited space. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2007 : 23:47:05
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| Money talks! If someone has money to buy in a village there will be a family prepared to sell the family silver. |
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