By: Isatou Sarr
Lord Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe Friday launched the Water for Women in The Gambia Project, an initiative aimed at improving access to clean water for women gardeners and farming communities nationwide.
The project, implemented under the REFELA Gambia Chapter over a 12-week period, would involve the installation of 15 modern boreholes, expected to directly benefit more than 30,000 women engaged in gardening. The launching ceremony took place at the Banjul City Council.
The initiative is supported by several partners, including Trust Bank Gambia Ltd, Wave Gambia, Sahel Bank BSIC Ltd, and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia.
Organisers say the project seeks to reduce the burden on women and girls who spend long hours fetching water, thereby enabling them to focus more on education, family responsibilities and income-generating activities.
Upon completion, the boreholes will be handed over to Village Development Committees to promote community ownership and long-term sustainability.
Deputy Mayor Abdou Aziz Gaye described the project as a significant achievement, noting that Mayor Lowe’s development initiatives extend beyond the capital city.
“This is a victory for all of us. Her work does not stop in Banjul alone,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Banjul City Council, Modou Jonga, says access to safe drinking water is essential for public health and a fundamental human right. He added that REFELA’s interventions complemented government efforts to address water challenges in both rural and urban areas.
West Coast Region Coordinator, Aunty Sukai, says REFELA has been supporting communities with boreholes since 2019 and welcomed the expansion of the initiative to other parts of the country.
National Coordinator Mariama Ceesay highlighted REFELA’s broader support programmes for women, children and youth, including skills training and educational assistance.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Lowe praised her team and partners for their commitment, noting that REFELA has installed nearly 50 boreholes nationwide and aims to reach 100 by the end of the year.
“Water is life and dignity,” she said, stressing that the initiative is non-political and focused on improving livelihoods.