1st April 2011

GAMCOTRAP is one of the oldest women’s rights NGOs in the Gambia. It was established in 1984 and has worked tremendously to protect the rights of women and children, fight against harmful traditional practices as well as promote the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and children. It has gone through daunting challenges to demonstrate women’s leadership in all spheres of development particularly in promoting the rights of women and children. Its mission is to ensure that women’s voices are heard loud and clear about issues affecting their lives. The fact that women are citizens and have the right to resources has not only affected women farmers who need to own land as a strategic resource but also activist organizations like GAMCOTRAP. Since 2002 GAMCOTRAP worked very hard to overcome the bondage of renting office space and to put in place a more strategic and sustainable plan by putting an office head quarter.

Construction of a head office with no donor support is a real struggle but a manifestation of Women’s leadership. However, the determination and will to get our institution right and to leave a legacy as a symbol of hope was strong and created the means for it to happen. The sources of the funding for the building are genuine leadership, trust, teamwork and sacrifice. Step by step we made it!

On the 1st of April 2011, GAMCOTRAP office building located at Plot 41 Kanifing Institutional Area was officially opened by The President of the Inter Africa Committee on Traditional Practices, Madam Mariam Lamizana of Burkina Faso. It was characterized by speeches of appreciation and support to reiterate the mission of GAMCOTRAP.

The storey building consists of office spaces, reception area, a training hall, library on the ground floor and the top floor caters lodging – rooms, lobby, balconies, a kitchen and a dining area.

The opening also coincided with the end of the IAC Board of Directors meeting in the Gambia and it gave members the opportunity to witness what GAMCOTRAP had achieved. The event was also characterized by traditional entertainment by Ebo Town Allamuta Kafo, a community based group against FGM. Gallery of pictures of guests & staff.

GAMCOTRAP extends appreciation to the Gambia Government for allocation of the land through the personal support of Her Excellency the Vice President, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy. Appreciation also goes to GAMCOTRAP board members, NGO and civil Society members, the UN agencies in the Gambia, the media and our families who graced the historic occasion in the history of the Gambian women’s movement in establishing an institution for Gambian Women.

Read full text of statement by Dr Isatou Touray, Executive Director, GAMCOTRAP.

Also read the vote of thanks by Amie Bojang Sissoho, Programme Coordinator - IEC here.