Gambia to have first female presidential candidate

By Alieu Manneh

BANJUL, Gambia (AA) - Isatou Touray, a leading women’s rights activist in Gambia, has said she will be the country's first female presidential candidate.

After months of speculation associating her with the country’s main opposition United Democratic Party, Touray confirmed to Anadolu Agency that indeed she will run against President Yahya Jammeh but as an independent candidate.

She, however, declined to make any further comment until she officially launches her campaign on Friday.

Even for an uncompromising feminist who for three decades dared social and political isolation in her advocacy for women’s rights, namely female genital mutilation (FGM), her announcement has caught many by surprise in a country where women’s roles are generally confined to the home.

“She can make a good candidate but it will be difficult for her to get the support needed to become president,” Essa Njie, a political analyst, told Anadolu Agency.

“The religious and cultural beliefs of the people here have confined women to specific roles which are often social, like housewife or other inferior positions. So she is a strong candidate given her educational and professional background but it will be difficult for her get the support she needs to be president,” Nije added.

Touray is a co-founder and an executive director of the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), an institution synonymous with the fight against FGM in the country.

Touray has often criticized the Jammeh regime for not giving women’s rights issues enough consideration and has since been advocating for greater female participation in politics.

Four female ministers and five lawmakers have served under the Jammeh regime.

The presidential election is to take place on Dec. 1.