Source:All Africa
The Network against Gender Based Violence (NGBV), a women's rights organisation, recently held a three-day training workshop for young women from various youth groups geared towards building their leadership and advocacy skills.

Bankrolled by Action Aid International The Gambia, the workshop was held at the regional education directorate in Brikama.

The executive director of the NGBV, Haddy Mboge, said the training was aimed at giving the young women the required skills on leadership, lobbying and advocacy.

"This would go a long way in helping them to tackle some of the challenging issues they face in society," she said.

The training was also meant to help build the necessary communication, resilience and negotiation skills of the participants to be effective leaders who can advocate on issues affecting their lives.

She pointed out that young people continued to face many challenges in society but requisite trainings like the one they have just had would help them to stand and fight for their cause.

For the executive director of National Youth Council (NYC), Lamin Darboe such women empowerment trainings would brighten the future of The Gambia because the country could develop faster if women are empowered.

Mr Darboe said young people need empowerment and the NYC would encourage any organisation willing to help in that direction.

"Such training will be of great help to young people, especially women who need it most, to set the future bright," he said.

The three-day workshop witnessed presentations on various topics such as good leadership traits, communication, lobbying and advocacy skills by youth advocates like Oumie Sissokoh-Kinteh, Abbie Barrow and Isatou Jeng.

The participants were also sensitised on issues like harmful traditional practices and gender stereotype.

Action Aid women's rights specialist Fanta Jatta-Sowe, in her remarks on the occasion, said the training would make a huge change in society.

• Gambia