TYW PARTICIPATES IN THE GLOBAL HANDS GAMBIA HEALTH FORUM

TYW attended the Global Hands Gambia Health Forum organized by Global Hands Gambia held at Jammeh Foundation for peace Hospital (JFPH), Bundung on 25^th April, 2015.

The four hours event started with a one minute silence in honor of our brothers and sisters who lost their lives through the back way.

Mr. Kebba Manneh, Staff of Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital gave the welcoming remarks and urged all participants to try as much as possible to get the right message on tuberculosis.

Jimmy Hendry Njally, Chairperson of Global Hands Gambia emphasized on the need for such forum. 

Participants at the Forum

According to Mr. Nzallly, TB is a deadly disease which most people do not know about.

He mentioned that one of the aims Global Hands, is to create the avenue and awareness forum for young people to take the lead and capitalize on thematic areas related to health.

Mr. Sainey Cham, Program Manager of NLTP stated that according to him, signs and symptoms of TB are usually detected within the first three weeks. He added that, WHO announced that three billion people around the globe are transferring the disease without treatment. He highlighted that the Gambia is fighting TB through conducting case studies, diagnoses and treatments. Mr. Cham concluded by stating that their target is to treat 100 TB patients per year.

The Laboratory

Dr. Yorro Bah, a medical expert stated that TB is one of the oldest diseases known to affect human beings and that 1.8 billion people die due to TB every year.

TYW representatives were taken through some facts on TB by some experts from JFPH. According to them, the signs and symptoms of TB include fever, night sweats, weight loss, Anorexia, general malaise, weakness and cough amongst others. They however encouraged that TB can be controlled and prevented by early treatment, avoiding overcrowding, ventilation, education and taking the BCG vaccine.

They were shown the TB statistics of JFPH from 2010 to 2015. These are as follows:

·      - In 2010, 612 people were suspected and got tested for T.B, 60 of them turned out positive and 552 were negative.

·        -  In 2011, 671 people were suspected and tested for T.B, 82 were and positive 589 remained negative.

·        -  In 2012, 1136 people were suspected and tested, 163 were positive and 973 remained negative.

·         - In 2013, 1133 patients were tested, 132 turned out smear positive and 1001 remained negative.

·      -  In 2014, 1046 patients were suspected and tested for TB, 119 were smear positive whilst 927 were smear negative.

A Cross Section of the Participants During Sessions at the Forum

In their observations, our representatives among other participants we noticed that, the more they suspect and test patients for TB, the higher the smear positive. It showed that there were many more people out there with the disease but were reluctant to come out and get tested. Dr. Yorro Bah urged the medical personnel present to try harder and get more people to volunteer and get tested for TB.

Later, participants were given a case study to give advice to a female TB patient who is hesitating to get treatment. Presentations were made on the case study. Another exercise was conducted which urged participants to identify six key messages that we needed to send out to the families of the patients that isolate themselves from TB victims due to their condition.  According to the two TYW representatives, the presentations were the most exciting part of the forum. 

TYW Representatives Kani Touray(Left) and Absa Samba(Right)

Finally, the forum ended with a tour of the laboratory. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and saw their only blood bank. According to the lab scientist, they were having so many constraints when it comes to blood. She said that people are not willing to donate and when emergency arises, the only option they have is to contact people the y know.

We thank TYW for the opportunity! We are grateful! 

TYW participates in a National Health Fair

Think Young Women (TYW), represented by its members Mariama Johm, Musu Bakoto Sawo, Sohna Jaw and Aminata A. Manneh attended the Second National Health Fair organised by Your Change For A Change (YCFAC) at the Buffer Zone, Tallinding, on 18 April, 2015.

The event was in recognition of the crucial role health plays in our everyday lives as well as YCFAC‘s mandate towards providing quality and responsive disease management.

Aminata A. Manneh, Mariama Johm and Sohna Jaw, TYW Representatives at the Health Fair

The occasion was graced by several youth groups, students, and residents of Latrikunda and the business sector who are all actors in the promotion of creating a healthy Gambia.

Siaka K. Dibba, a senior member of YCFAC, chaired the official opening ceremony of the event.  He dilated on the history of the organisation and why the event was organised and the importance it has in the lives of Gambians.

Cross Section of the Audience at the Opening Ceremony

The event also witnessed a drama presentation by Nova Scotia Gambia Association (NSGA) on Ebola. This was followed by a statement from the principle of Kairaba Senior Secondary School and music performance by various Gambian artists.

The representatives of TYW at the fair exhibited advocacy materials and educated the community on the harms and long term health implications of FGM, Wife battering, Child, Early and Forced Marriages, amongst others and most importantly, scatter the myths associated with the aforesaid practices.

TYW IEC material on display

School Students Visiting the TYW Stall at the Health Fair

More visitors at the TYW Stall

The Gambia Radio and Television Services interviewed our Communication and Networking officer, Aminata A. Manneh who highlighted the importance of the health fair. She pointed out that the fair should be organised countrywide to educate the people in the rural areas on how to live healthy lives. Aminata further stated: “The role TYW plays in nation development is immeasurable towards nation building.”

As exhibitors at the Health Fair, we had a great experience representing TYW thus showcasing what we do as an organisation. The Health Fair gave us the opportunity to know about our health status, learn about the different types of aliments in Gambia and how serious they could get if not treated or cured at the early stages of their development. We showed a diagram of a smoker’s body displayed by the Ministry of Health And Social Welfare. This diagram made the most difference in our behaviour towards smoking in general. The Health Fair gave us the platform to socialise and share experiences as advocates of change  with some of the most dynamic young people in the Gambia who also participated in the event.

The dialogue between our representatives and the community left immense impression on the participants and cleared the path for healthy conversation about gender issues and violence against women in The Gambia. There is also hope for future collaboration with the YCFAC in future programmes.

Mentoring students at the Gunjur Youth Camp

TYW through its members continues to contribute to youth development at different levels. On Saturday  9^th August 2014, Yassin Nyan a founding member of Think Young Women was invited to a youth camp at Gunjur.

The session was part of activities of a 10 day youth leadership and Gold Award programme (of the President’s International Award) in which the participants took part in a range of activities including community service visits, a 40km walking expedition and socialisation activities among others. The camp was organised by the SOS Hermann Gmeiner Technical Senior Secondary School Unit of the President’s Award Scheme.

Yassin was an award winning student of the SOS Hermann Gmeiner Upper Basic School from 2004 to 2007 who was actively involved in extracurricular activities and held various positions of responsibility and leadership whilst in the school. She was selected as Head girl in her final year in the school and she left the school in 2004 when she sat to the Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination (GABECE) and made A1s in all the nine subjects that she sat creating a record in the school yet to be beaten. She is now a student of the University of The Gambia School of Medicine about to start the 5^th year of her 7 year programme of study for a BSc. In Medicine and Surgery.

Yassin’s session with the students started out with introductions and each student telling her what their career plan was and why they would like to pursue that course of study. This formed the basis of the discussion during which she shared her educational experiences and also teased out the students’ strengths and weaknesses in their different courses of learning and shared her opinion as to how that contributes in determining career choice and success.

A cross-section of adults and adolescents listening keenly to Yassin.

Two power issues came up and these were self-esteem and confidence building and the need for hard work as there is no shortcut to success. And the importance of vocational training in national development and in job opportunities and that it is in no way inferior to white collar jobs despite what some people may think. A student in Grade 11 Commerce, stated that she still hadn’t decided what she wants to do. To that she responded that life is a voyage of discovery and that she had the same problem too in deciding what she wanted. This came to highlight the importance of mentorship guidance and career counselling which helped her decide to go Medical school, a decision she has never regretted. She encouraged the students identify role models and try to get close to adults who can guide them on career paths, to engage their parents in inter-generational dialogue regarding career choices as a lot of the time parents try to force their children into certain fields when that is not what they want or that is not where their talents/interests lie.

This was followed by question and answer session. The students wanted know who her role model is, how she copes with medical school with work and her youth activities, what advise she had for students who want to go to medical school, what she wanted to specialise in as a doctor and some miscellaneous questions relating to health and medicine and adolescent reproductive health.

Students listening keenly at the open session

Yassin is still considered a role model in all the schools she’s been to and students look up to her and try to attain and break her academic achievements. Some students in her high school actually have! So the standards keep getting higher with a good example to follow.

Inculcating self awareness and awareness of children and 
women’s issues from an early age.

8th International Youth Summer School on Peace 2014

Naffie Sissoho represented TYW and shares her experience

When I hear of Cassamance in Senegal, I picture it as Banjul, small with few people living it in. I never pictured Ziguinchor to be a developed city with good roads, steady lights and civilized people because of the war that had been going on there for the past years.

At first, I was scared to spend ten days in an unstable settlement which was full of rebels (at least according to how the media shows it to me). Secondly, because of the new disease that has recently broken in Western Africa: "Ebola". Hearing that it was first discovered in Guinea Conakry had me panicking because I thought Conakry and Cassamance shared the same border like Amdahlie and Karang. It was later brought to my knowledge that Cassamance share the same border with Bissau and not Conakry, which was a great relief.

The water there however tasted like Quatem to a malaria patient. It was so bad that having the taste to your tongue whilst performing ablution was enough to get you to throw your intestines out. So we ended up depending on bottled water for the greater part of our stay. As the Olofs would say:  "ku amut yai nampa mam."

The experience and the adventure derived from it was just remarkable. I do not regret been part of the 8th International Youth Summer School 2014 with Peace Ambassadors- The Gambia. We had classes on thematic areas like Gender Based Violence which I attended, Entrepreneurship, Peace and Conflict and Terrorism and Money Laundering. Each participant was certified at the end of the camp.

We had carnivals with other youth organizations in the city as well as field trips with the opportunity of meeting the Governor of Ziguinchor.

I end this short narration of my trip with immense thanks to Think Young Women for the wonderful opportunity they gave me. I love adventures and they gave me a great one to remember.

Think Feminism

Haddy Jonga on feminim

Some would call me ‘unsexy’,’ uncool’ and brutally hardcore but Yes, I am a feminist and I am not sorry about it. I was born one, I have always been one but maybe I just needed a push to tilt my head above the “surface” and realize that I will be sinking if I don’t defend my identity, my being a woman and the essence of my living.

Three months ago, I represented Think Young Women with a colleague at WLUML –WELDD’s Feminist Leadership Workshop and as cheesy as it may sound, it opened my eyes and marked the beginning of a journey that I have no regrets pursuing thus far.

Participants at the Feminist Workshop

 I have been an activist all my life but mainly working in the area of children’s rights advocacy until the birth of TYW. Although we have been in the struggle for not too long and still a baby, we have taken giant strides in making our voices heard and joining the band wagon in advocating for the rights and welfare of women globally.

I feel that we all are feminists deep down but it takes a special kind of awakening to realize how amazing and fun feminism really is. Some of us have been lucky to have mothers and grandmas who have been proud and strong women who without even realizing it, were and still are feminists in their own rights but some of us(like I once used to) only know about the crappy stereotypes attached to those of us who without fear call ourselves proud feminists. To most young women, feminism still remains ugly, radical and an illusion but the motive behind this blog post is to challenge all young women out there to take it upon themselves and find out the beauty and the spirit behind feminism.

Yoga at the beach with sisters from Somalia and London

I must confess that feminism is not a fight against the men folk, it is not a struggle for freedom, it is not a revolution, and it is not as bad as it sounds. Feminism is life itself for all women young and old, it is a way of life, it is the revival of love and support between men and women, feminism is collaboration, a partnership sealed with the promise of respect for humanity and womanhood in particular. Feminism is an acknowledgement of the efforts of women. The belief and the practice of feminism is a liberation of the mind from the perception that women are to be slaves under men, that women are baby-making machines, inferior creatures, helpless and vulnerable.

Having been born and raised in The Gambia, a society where deep rooted cultures and norms are practiced and respected even at the expense of the people, I have come to learn(as you all should) that patriarchy has somewhat played  and cheated on us. We have associated ourselves with a lot of practices that are cultural although harmful and have been blinded with the excuse that they are religious obligations.

Today I will urge us all to know the religions we practice, to study the teachings of our faith and be our own religious leaders, to be our own interpreters, to be the defenders of our own religion and to be able to draw the line between deep rooted traditional practices from religious obligations.   It is high time we know who we are and what makes us! It is time to wake up! It is time for men to accept us as partners! It is time for us to realize we are not fighting against the opposite sex! It is time to realize that we just want to be treated as humanely as possible! It is time to be feminist!

A proud Feminist

                                                Think Young Women! Think Feminism!

Support Jainaba Faye to attend the MILEAD Fellowship Institute 2014: Ghana

Gambia’s Jainaba Faye named among Africa’s Most Outstanding Emerging Women Leaders  Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa proudly announced the 2014 MILEAD (Moremi Initiative Leadership and Empowerment Development) Fellows. The twenty-six selected MILEAD Fellows represent Africa’s most promising young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape the future of Africa. The Fellows were chosen through a highly competitive selection process with criteria based on their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments, and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa. 

Ms. Jainaba Faye of The Gambia was selected for her outstanding track records as a determined and development oriented female youth leader on the quest for the progress and advancement of women and children in The Gambia. Jainaba for the past 9years has been actively involved in advocacy on cross-cutting issues ranging from Education, Human Rights, Road safety and Violence against women and children. She has just completed her BSc in Economic and Finance (Honors) from the University of The Gambia and is currently awaiting Graduation. She has served in many leadership capacities in The Gambia. She is currently the Speaker of the Banjul youth Parliament, a regional Parliament under the National youth Parliament, the Financial Director of the Banjul Youth Committee, a member on the National Child and Youth Advisory Board on violence against children and a member of Think young women, a young women led organization. She was also the Vice Chairperson of The Spectrum Associates constitution committee. 

In 2006, she was the youngest conference delegate at the National youth conference and festival of The Gambia and in 2013, she was the head of the conference delegation at the same conference.

The 2014 MILEAD Fellows Institute
The MILEAD Fellows will converge in Accra, Ghana to kick-start the 2014 MILEAD Leadership Institute- a three-week intensive training program, which will be hosted by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon. The Institute will serve as a platform for Fellows to cross-examine concepts of leadership in a broad African context, cultivate the skills and experiences necessary to occupy and excel in leadership positions, and gain knowledge on cutting-edge issues critical to African women and their communities. In addition to knowledge building lectures, skills-training workshops, teambuilding activities, role plays and other interactive activities, Fellows will be mentored by experienced and accomplished women leaders who are committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of African women leaders.

About The MILEAD Fellows Program
The MILEAD Fellows Program is a uniquely designed initiative committed to the long-term leadership development and promotion of Africa’s most promising young women leaders. Fellows go through a yearlong training and mentoring program, designed to build skills, strengthen networks, and support women’s leadership on critical issues. Over the course of the year, the selected Fellows progress through three phases. The first identifies and prepares Fellows through leadership development, networking, mentoring, and training. The second promotes the visibility and accomplishments of Fellows through media coverage and networking. And lastly, the third phase supports Fellows through career planning, management, and access to opportunities and resources. Moreover, Fellows will benefit from a lifelong solidarity and support through the MILEAD Network.

So lets support Jainaba! 

Visit (http://www.gofundme.com/a3w3ag) 

Donate and Share

#BringBackOurGirls: Call for Action

Jainaba Faye shares with us the #BringBackourGirls event organised by Think Young Women (TYW)

Messages of solidarity at the event

The 200+ girls abducted from a government secondary school in the town of Chibok in Borno state, Nigeria from the 14^th April 2014 to date by the so-called Boko Haram group has become a global concern. Young people especially girls from all over the world are worried and terrified by this situation. A lot of campaign has been going on all over the world characterized by March passes, online campaigns and many more have taken center stage in the drive to rescue these innocent girls.

Think Young Woman  (TYW)- a young women led organization based in The Gambia took it upon themselves to organize a day program on the 23^rd May 2014 in showing our concern for the abducted girls. This was done with the support of Action-Aid International, The Gambia. Over 100 people from primary, junior and senior secondary schools, university of the Gambia, international students from the university of Texas, youth organizations and women rights activist alike graced the occasion.

The program started with individual prayers followed by the opening statement by Ms. Aisha Keita of TYW. She welcomed all the participants and emphasized on the importance of the event. She pointed out the fact that the whole world should be concerned about Boko Haram and that they are just based in Nigeria for now but could expand to other countries if not stopped with immediate effect. She thanked Action-Aid for partnering with TYW in this noble cause.

Another speaker for the event was Ms. Yewande Austin, a renowned American artist from MTV and BET to the historic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An award winning lecturer, activist and honorary U.S Cultural Ambassador, Yewande is best known for her Humanitarian organization “The Change Rock Foundation”. She uses music and art to promote socio-economic development. She called for immediate actions by the Nigerian Government and the international community. She lamented on the issue that a lot of violence cases against women and children have been happening around the world and our leaders are not paying attention to them and that she feared the conditions that the girls are facing at that moment. Yewande presented her video documentary that show cased the work that she has been doing in Africa especially in Malawi to help bring education to the doors of every child. She informed the gathering that she is going to invest her life savings in Nigeria this year to help promote the rights of vulnerable especially girls.

Yewande with Jainaba

Statements were also made by the representative from Action-Aid and the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports.

L-R: Aisha Keita- Communications Officer, TYW, Yewande (Renowned Artist), Fanta Jatta-Sowe, Women's Rights Manager, AAITG; and Hon Alieu Jammeh, Minister, Youths and Sports

The plenary discussion followed suit and the participants raised their concerns and questions about the current situation. They also came up with recommendations and action points to be taken to bring back the girls. A drama on the issue at hand was played the Nova Scotia Gambia Associations showcasing the grieve of the families of the abducted girls.

Drama performance by NSGA

All the participants were then given white papers to write their own message that they want to put across to the Nigerian Government and the world at large. The invited guest and participants then went further to pen their signatures on the Banners to show how firm their stand is to get the girls back to their homes safe and sound.

TYW Programme Officer, Amie Kujabi

Madi Jobarteh, Programme Manager, TANGO showing solidarity

 The program ended with a music interlude by Killer Ace. A renowned Gambian Artist who recently released his album with a special track dedicated to the abducted Chibok girls. 

Killer Ace performing at the event

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS: JOIN THINK YOUNG WOMEN TO TAKE A STAND

TYW stands in solidarity with our Nigerian Sisters!

TYW's Girls mentorship Program standing in solidarity with our sisters in Nigeria #BringBackOutGirls

It's been more than a month since the extremist militant group 'Boko Haram' left millions wondering about the fate of over 200 girls abducted at the Chibok Government Girls Secondary School.

As young women, we raise our collective voices for justice. We are committed to lending our support for their return.

Think Young Women (TYW)  in partnership with ActionAid International The Gambia (AAITG) will show our solidarity with the girls to call for appropriate measures to ensure the rights of every girl and boy to a safe environment and access to quality education.

Join us in our quest to show solidarity and raise our voices #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS #THINKYOUNGWOMEN #YOUNGWOMENSTANDINGINSOLIDARITYWITHOURSISTERS

Date: Friday, 23rd May 2014
Venue: American Corner, Kairaba Avenue
Time: 9:00 AM

Participation of Think Young Women (TYW) in the 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Yassin at the CSW

Think Young Women (TYW) in its strive to create and lead change is pleased to continue its participation in international events and foras as part of continued efforts to highlight the participation and empowerment of young women on the global stage.

Two young women who are executive members of TYW, Yassin Nyan and Aisha Keita attended the 58^th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) from the 10^th to the 21^st March 2014 at the UN Headquarters in New York as part of the Vice President’s delegation. Other members of the delegation were; The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Mrs. Fatou Mbye, The Director of Social Welfare Mrs. Fanta Bai Secka, Mrs. Haddy Dandeh Jabbie Vice President of the Female Lawyers’ Association of The Gambia (FLAG), representatives from UNFPA and UNDP, Gambia Government staff, NGOs representatives; the Network on Gender-Based Violence Haddy Mboge Barrow and Mrs. Fatou Jah, President of The Gambia Women’s Federation.

As part of activities in this year’s CSW, they attended a series of meetings and events that took place geared towards deliberating on the main theme of the event ‘Challenges and Achievements in the Implementation of the MDGs for Women and Girls.’ They also participated in bilateral meetings between the Gambia Government Delegation headed by Her Excellency The Vice President of the Republic Madam Isatou Njie Saidy and global institutions like UNFPA, UN WOMEN  amongst others.

Various issues challenging women worldwide were discussed in a series of High level meetings, symposia and side events organised by UN Agencies, country delegates and international NGOs. These issues ranged from education, healthcare, agriculture, access to productive resources, equal access to opportunities, encouraging women and girls to venture into the sciences, to name a few.

Some of the key sessions attended included:

‘To 2015 and Beyond; Putting Girls’ Education at the Heart of the Agenda’ organised by UNICEF  

This session sought to take a keen look into the world situation as far as girls’ education is concerned and measure progress made in this area since the MDGs came into being as well as explore the successes and gaps in attaining the different levels of education for girls. Among issues highlighted was the relationship between girls’ education and child wellbeing and survival as well as how gender equality impacts the wellbeing of young women and their fertility rates.

A key power statement that emerged during this discussion was “Education is the vaccine of the 21^st Century”. By educating women and girls it becomes easier for other interventions to take effect.

‘Good for Gender Equality, Good for the Economy: Getting Girls into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)’ organised by the United Kingdom and deliberated on by Partners UNESCO DG, GSK (a global pharmaceutical and research company), Tanzanian Govt

Globally, women represent only 30% of researchers globally. The reason for the lack of diversity in women’s participation in the sciences was explored in depth in this session as well as the importance of women’s involvement in STEM areas. These were three main reasons; women’s equality, opportunity and for each country’s growth. To achieve this, the identification and support of role models for girls and the integration of gender sensitivity into science education is pivotal. Better data is needed to design sharper policies to address this and by sharing best practices with stakeholders we act globally while working on the ground.

 ‘Intergenerational Dialogue on Faith, Culture, HIV and Reproductive Health and Rights’ organised by World Council of Churches and Partners;  Symposium: “Driving Down Maternal Deaths through Evidence-Based Policy and Technology: Anaemia, Postpartum Haemorrhage and Digital Medicine” organised by the Global Alliance for Women’s Health and partners; and ‘Addressing Violations of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women Living with HIV in Healthcare Settings’ jointly organised by UNDP, UNAIDS, International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS(ICW) and Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)

These sessions sought to explore the barriers that hinder women’s access to reproductive and general health services. These range from religious and cultural norms to HIV/AIDS and of course the ever present denominators of poverty and exclusion among others. Some recommendations were put forward in order to tackle these problems and they include: making use of sport, music and art as tools of advocacy and sensitisation, using radio to reach out to rural populations, removal of parental consent requirements for young people to access sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) and at national level the decriminalisation of sex work to enable sex workers come out without fear to access preventive services.

Other sessions the young women delegates participated in were:

‘Lesson Learnt in Country: How to End Child, Early and Forced Marriage organised by PLAN international; Indicators for monitoring Gender Equality: Lessons Learnt for the MDGs’ organised by UN Women, UN Statistics Division and Partners; ‘Assessing Ghana’s implementation of the MDGs: Best Practices, Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward organised by Ghana delegation’; ‘The Voices of African Women and Girls in the Post-2015 Development Agenda’ organised by UN Women and the Special Youth Envoy of the Secretary General; and ‘Closing the Gender Gap in Agriculture’ organised by FAO, IFAD and IFPRI.

Yassin and Aisha were also invited to a Young Women’s Caucus organised by the World YWCA. The purpose of this caucus was to bring together young women delegates to put up recommendations based on their countries’ contexts and realities to be featured in the Post 2015 agenda.

MILEAD Fellows Panel

Both young women also participated in the panel organised by the Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa, in collaboration with UN Women-Africa as MILEAD Fellows. The MILEAD Fellows represent a regional network of Africa’s most extra-ordinary young women leaders. They are emerging young women leaders who are already engaged in actively leading change on critical issues in their communities. Twenty-five Fellows are selected each year through a highly competitive selection process and criteria, including their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa.

As fellows of the Moremi Initiative for Young Women’s Leadership in Africa (MILEAD) both Yassin (2011 fellow) and Aisha (2012 fellow) were opportune to speak to an audience of diverse backgrounds from different countries about their MILEAD experience, their MiChange projects, and how the programme as a whole has impacted their lives as individuals and as young women advocates. For more information on the MILEAD programme you can visit their website on –www.moreminitiative.com. Other MILEAD fellows from the different year groups who attended this year’s CSW also spoke at the event. They included young women counterparts from Liberia, Uganda, Senegal, Ethiopia and Nigeria.

The two young women are now back in the country and will with the collaboration of the membership of Think Young Women work towards implementing recommendations from the country relevant to our context while making use of the best practices learnt during interactions with counterparts during the event. Participation at this important event was essential in exposing these young women and the work that TYW does.

As Aisha rightly said “It offered a unique platform to showcase best practices of empowering and inspiring the next generation of young female leaders, as well as contribute towards the Post 2015 discourse”

Aisha during one of the sessions

A comprehensive report of the event will be compiled and available on the group’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thinkyoungwomen/?fref=ts)