By: Haruna Kuyateh
The Forum for African Women Educationalists Gambia Chapter (FAWEGAM), with support from the European Union, on Friday organized a day-long regional sensitization session for civil society organizations and key stakeholders on peacebuilding, gender mainstreaming, climate change, and natural resource management.
Held at the Regional Education Directorate in Kerewan, North Bank Region, the session aligned with priorities outlined in The Gambia’s National Development Plan (NDP).
Martin Mendy, Senior Programme Officer at FAWEGAM, emphasized the importance of strengthening stakeholder capacity in environmental preservation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
He noted that challenges such as land degradation, deforestation, salinity in lowlands, coastal erosion, and unsustainable practices in forestry, agriculture, and fisheries are increasingly threatening livelihoods in the North Bank Region and beyond.
“Protecting our environment is not optional, it is urgent,” Mendy stated. “Simple methods like promoting the ‘3Rs’ – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, can help conserve resources and reduce environmental damage.”
Muhamed Keita, Senior Education Officer at Regional Education Directorate 3, commended FAWEGAM for its timely initiative, stressing that the training would help stakeholders contribute more effectively to the implementation of the NDP, also referred to as YIRWA. He added that mainstreaming gender and climate change considerations into development planning is essential for long-term impact.
Village leader Salifu Jallow of Kerr Ardo and fellow community representative, Omar Gaye, described the session as crucial for addressing ongoing environmental challenges. They highlighted the pressing issue of encroachment into cattle tracks, particularly between Kerr Jarga and Memmeh in Jokadou and parts of Lower Badibou, which continues to spark conflict between herders and farmers.
The session marked part of FAWEGAM’s wider efforts to ensure inclusive and sustainable development by engaging grassroots actors, promoting environmental awareness, and fostering peaceful coexistence in rural communities.
