A powerful display of unity, resilience, and grassroots transformation marked the Buzz Women Gambia Day celebration held on April 2, as women from across the country gathered to commemorate International Women’s Month and reflect on the movement’s growing impact.
The event, organised by Buzz Women Gambia, brought together beneficiaries, government officials, development partners, and community leaders to highlight success stories and reaffirm the role of women in national development.
Since its establishment in The Gambia in 2019, the movement has reached over 40,000 women through its “school on wheels” initiative, delivering training in financial management, entrepreneurship, and personal development directly to communities.
Speakers at the event stressed that the initiative is not a conventional NGO model but a community-led movement driven by women themselves.
Delivering the welcoming remarks, National Director Fatou Cham underscored the importance of self-belief and collective effort in transforming lives. She noted that the programme continues to equip women with practical skills while strengthening their confidence to take leadership roles within their communities.
Founder Dave Jongeneelen traced the origins of the movement, describing it as an idea that grew from simple community engagement into a cross-border initiative now expanding across Africa.
He emphasised that the success of the programme lies in its approach of “giving to gain,” where women invest time and effort not only in their own growth but also in uplifting others.
A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Jambarr Fund, aimed at supporting women’s initiatives and extending opportunities to more beneficiaries.
The launch was led by legal practitioner Amie Bensouda, who called for sustained commitment to empowering women as a pathway to inclusive development.
Representing the government, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Fatou Kinteh, reaffirmed the government’s support for initiatives that promote women’s empowerment.
She described such programmes as essential to strengthening families, communities, and the broader economy.
Partners also reiterated their commitment to supporting women-focused programmes, noting that empowering women remains a strategic investment in national progress.
As the celebration transitions into a community “lumo”, participants reflected on the journey so far and the road ahead. For many, the event was not just a commemoration, but a reminder that lasting change begins within communities, led by women determined to shape their own future.
