By Fatou Krubally
The Buzz Women Movement celebrated its growing impact on April 2, as women from across The Gambia gathered to mark International Women’s Month and reflected on the organization’s achievements.
The event, organized by Buzz Women Gambia, brought together beneficiaries, government officials, development partners, and community leaders to showcase success stories and reaffirm the role of women in national development.
Since its establishment in 2019, the movement has reached more than 40,000 women through its “school on wheels” initiative, which provides training in financial management, entrepreneurship, and personal development directly to communities.
Speakers highlight that the movement is community-led rather than following a conventional non-governmental organization model.
In her welcoming remarks, National Director Fatou Cham emphasized the importance of self-belief and collective effort in transforming lives. She notes that the programme equips women with practical skills and strengthens their confidence to take leadership roles within their communities.
Founder Dave Jongeneelen traced the origins of the movement, describing it as a community initiative that has grown into a cross-border programme now expanding across Africa. He underlined the approach of “giving to gain,” in which women invest in their own growth while supporting others.
The event also featured the launch of the Jambarr Fund, designed to support women’s initiatives and extend opportunities to more beneficiaries. Legal practitioner Amie Bensouda led the launch, calling for sustained commitment to women’s empowerment as a driver of inclusive development.
Hon. Fatou Kinteh, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, represented the government and reaffirmed support for initiatives that promote women’s empowerment. She described such programmes as essential for strengthening families, communities, and the broader economy.
Development partners also reiterated their commitment to supporting women-focused initiatives, highlighting the strategic importance of empowering women for national progress.
The celebration concluded with a community “lumo,” where participants reflected on the movement’s achievements and future goals. The gathering underscored the role of women in driving lasting change at the community level.