00:00Fatima Tajala Tambajang was Gambia's vice president from 2017 to 2018.
00:08The trailblazing advocate for women's rights has long championed gender equality in politics.
00:14She is disheartened by the slow progress at national level.
00:19We have found that still we are behind, we are lagging time.
00:24From the constitutional point of view, it's a human right for women and men to work together as partners to build a nation, to build a state.
00:36Women we saw that we manifested in different places.
00:39However, I'm disappointed that to date you have under-representation of women in decision-making.
00:48If you look at in the cabinet, five women against how many men in parliament, the same.
00:55Everywhere you go in the local governance also is under-represented and this has to stop.
01:01Recently, Jala Tambajang announced her intention to run for president.
01:06A bold move that defies traditional expectations and inspires all the women to aim high.
01:12Despite the criticism from some men, she remains resolute.
01:16I have made a declaration, but I'm not making any further information, I'm not giving further information until we come to the bridge.
01:28You know, now is the time to walk on the ferry that is going to cross me and cross those who are patriotic,
01:37that really want to go for real change.
01:42We fought for change for so many years, including 2016, uprooting a dictator of 22 years.
01:51Women make up half the population, yet their presence in top political roles remains minimal.
01:57From the cabinet to the national assembly, men still dominate leadership positions.
02:03But many believe the time for sidelining Gambian women is over.
02:07We are doing well.
02:25We are doing well, so we are going to be the president and we are going to be the president.
02:34Patriarchal norms still shape political attitudes in the Gambia.
02:39It even influences who votes for women politicians.
02:43Modulamin Davies encourages men to support women in politics.
02:47Men not supporting women's political ambition reverse around patriarchy.
02:53Sometimes, of course, there are men that will do it consciously, others unconsciously,
02:57because this is a system that they know and it is what they are used to.
03:01Patriarchy teaches men, most Gambian men, that when it comes to leadership roles and positions,
03:07they are already served for men.
03:09And as such, women are supposed to be confined at home to just take care of the children
03:14and also do other domestic house chores.
03:16Moodlamin's organization Men for Equality is focused on reshaping societal attitudes and empowering women to lead.
03:25Activists like Yadikonjai Eribo believed that dismantling harmful cultural norms is essential for women to thrive in leadership.
03:34You know, there is a lot of violence going on that is keeping women from coming out,
03:40women that are interested in coming out for positions.
03:44We start with the bullying.
03:47People bully, people call names, and also social media as well.
03:55In social media, they will really tear you up.
03:59And so, if you are not a strong woman, even strong women, the strongest of us,
04:04will have a hard time making it, staying there focused when so many things are being said about you.
04:12Janna Tambajang believes that empowered women can achieve remarkable things.
04:19Her personal journey serves as a beacon of hope for girls and women across the Gambia.
04:25In politics, people are saying it's difficult.
04:28Yes, it's difficult for women because of cultural barriers.
04:32People say, you know, perhaps it's a woman.
04:36But women are living in the houses.
04:38They are living in the communities.
04:40They are making change in the lives of people.
04:42And we have seen as Muslims and even Christians,
04:46you find that women have led in many struggles.
04:51Women have led and they have made difference.
04:53So, my call on them is for them to work together,
04:58to support each other,
05:00to be really focused on mobilizing themselves
05:04and ensuring that more women are elected in decision making.
05:10That's the only way we can really make a difference
05:14and we can contribute towards the interest of empowerment of women and young girls.
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