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) 

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