In Tostan’s community partners in Senegal, Gambia, Mali and Guinea Bissau, many women and men are at the forefront of advances in equal access to education, health or economic opportunities. To mark Women’s History Month this year, we celebrate these women and men who are changing social norms in terms of respect for human rights in their communities.
Guinea Bissau: Bandleader, Sona Baldé
Alone we go fast, but together we go further! Sona Baldé and the community of Sintcha Farâ have well understood this saying in Guinea Bissau. Under the impetus of the Community Management Committee (CGC) headed by Sona Baldé, the Sintcha Farâ community has mobilized to finance the construction of a school to make up for the lack of school infrastructure in their village.
After following Tostan’s Community Capacity Building Program (CCBP) and understanding the importance of education for their children, the community decided to build and equip a school for 70 pupils. The Community Management Committee, headed by Sona, organized awareness-raising and mobilization meetings with religious leaders, local authorities and community members, all of whom supported their initiative.
In addition to access to education, the Sintcha Farâ community has made further progress in its quest for wellbeing by reaffirming its commitment to abandoning harmful practices such as female genital cutting (FGC), gender-based violence (GBV) and early and forced marriages.
Gambia: Fatoumatta Sinyang at the forefront of social transformation
A native of Sare Soffie in Gamabie, Fatoumata Sinyang embodies courage, resilience and female leadership. She has played a key role in promoting education, health and human rights in her community. Her commitment has had a positive and lasting impact on her community, paving the way for a more just and equitable future for all.
Senegal: Ibrahima Diédhiou, from “opponent” to champion of women’s leadership
In the process of changing social norms and bringing about lasting positive change, access to quality information is a crucial step. Ibrahima Diédhiou, Chief of the village of Kokou Mbadolo in Sedhiou (southern Senegal), has experienced this first-hand. Initially reluctant to take part in Tostan’s classes and capacity-building program for women and girls, Ibrahima Diédhiou has now fully realized the transformative impact of empowering women in his community.
Since then, he has become an advocate for women’s leadership and the protection of women’s human rights and dignity, both in his community and beyond.
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Mali: Mame Traoré, Municipal Councillor at Méguétan
Her story is a testament to the impact that women’s empowerment can have on positive and lasting transformations within communities. A former member of the CGC, Mame Diarra Nah Traoré now holds the position of Municipal Councillor, representing her community at the Méguétan Town Hall in Koulikoro, Mali. This inspiring career path she attributes to Tostan’s human rights-based program, delivered entirely in national languages. The program awakened her leadership skills and helped her understand her rights and responsibilities as a member of her community.
