How Chevening alumni are empowering women and girls in The Gambia

Diverse leadership is central to building inclusive, equal, and resilient communities. Supported by the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund (CAPF), Chevening alumni in The Gambia are helping young women gain the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their rights. 

Their project, ‘Bridging the knowledge gap on gender-based violence (GBV)’, equips young women aged 11-24 from underserved communities in the West Coast Region with the tools to understand and combat GBV, including female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and sexual violence. Over eight days of training (2 days per cohort) participants learned about leadership, human rights, and menstrual health, gaining both awareness and practical skills to drive change.  

Tackling gender-based violence 

In many communities, FGM is seen as a cultural or religious norm. Before the training, more than half of the girls believed it was essential for their health and dignity. Through open dialogue and education, facilitators debunked these harmful myths, using health, religious and human rights perspectives.  

‘I am determined to use what I have learned to protect girls from FGM. I will speak out against this harmful practice and work to ensure every girl has the chance to live a healthy life.’ – a participant  

Sessions also addressed child marriage and explored the vital role of families in keeping young women in education and empowering them to make their own choices. Participants watched films, dramas, and awareness videos that sparked honest conversations about consent, bodily autonomy, and ending stigma around menstruation.

Building leadership and confidence  

A core part of the initiative was leadership training, designed to help young women see themselves as changemakers in their communities. Discussions focused on overcoming barriers such as fear of backlash, cultural stereotypes, and systemic inequality.  

Participants were encouraged to see leadership not as a privilege, but as a right, and to use their voices to influence decisions that shape their futures.  

Breaking the silence on menstruation  

Menstrual health remains one of the most taboo topics in The Gambia. Through open discussions and training, participants learned about hygiene, confidence, and sustainable solutions such as making reusable sanitary pads.  

‘Back then I didn’t know these were misconceptions. I had no access to the right information. Today I am grateful that I now understand what menstruation truly is and I am no longer afraid. When I go back, I will ensure I educate other girls and my younger siblings, so they don’t go through what I did.’ 

More than 5,000 young women have now benefited from the production and distribution of reuseable pads, helping to tackle period poverty, protect health, and create new opportunities for economic empowerment.  

A growing movement for equality 

By combining education, leadership and community action, Chevening alumni are nurturing a new generation of confident young women ready to challenge gender inequality and lead lasting change.  

Through initiatives like this, they’re showing that when women and girls are empowered with knowledge, the entire community moves closer to equality, dignity and peace.  

‘This is proof that when young women show up and participate in community development, they can lead… Women have a place at the table, and we must claim it.’