Fatoumatta Jabbie: A Strong Voice for Women in the Gambia

Fatoumatta Jabbie: A Strong Voice for Women in the Gambia

In West Africa, over 30,000 women who have participated in Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) have become leaders in their villages and local districts. Fatoumatta Jabbie’s story illustrates the potential of women’s leadership when given opportunity, skills,...
Spotlight on Girls: The Marietou Law

Spotlight on Girls: The Marietou Law

Story by Penda Mbaye, Senior Program Officer in Dakar, Senegal Many years ago I was a facilitator of Tostan’s human rights-based education program, the Community Empowerment Program (CEP), in the small district of Hersent in Thiès, Senegal. There, I saw a 15-year-old...
Portrait of a Leader: Yama Bathia

Portrait of a Leader: Yama Bathia

A few years ago, Yama Bathia experienced gender-based violence in her own home.  Since that day, she has worked hard to create a safe space for problem solving in her community of Bougnadou Manjaque and to challenge harmful social norms, such as female genital...