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MOJATU MAGAZINE LAUNCHED IN THE GAMBIA!
- By Leikeisha Walters
In February 2016, Mojatu made
mojatu
another mileage with the launch
of Mojatu Gambia magazine,
the first in West Africa and the
third in African continent. The
magazine was launched during the
International conference organised
by Mojatu’s Gambia partners, Sight-
Tech Foundation.
.com
Gambia connected
Mojatu team travelled to The Gambia
where they worked with local
volunteers in the country to organise
and hold an international conference
focusing on women’s empowerment,
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child
Marriage and Youth Development. The
Mojatu Gambia magazine was also
launched during this conference.
In attendance were key figures including representatives
from The Gambian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,
the Vice President’s Office and the National Youth Council.
Key Gambian speaker Fatoumata Touray said, “FGM
continues to affect the lives of many women and girls
globally. To eliminate FGM and support survivors, we
need to learn from one another”.
Sight-Tech Chairperson Mariama Touray said that “Social,
economic and health consequences of child marriage
are devastating for young girls and leads many women
to lead lives in poverty and suffering. Many child brides
are expected to have their own children before the age
of 18 leading to serious health consequences for young
mothers because their bodies are not mature enough
to cope with childbearing, prolonged labour and the
lifelong psychological problems, not to mention the
impact of FGM. Cases of maternal mortality are also
higher in this age group”.
Mr Abdoulie Jah the director of STF will be the managing
editor of Mojatu Gambia. Mr Jah said that “Mojatu
Gambia has been launched in response to demand
from local people and businesses in the Gambia who
are struggling to reach the customers and service users
on their doorstep. The brand has been adopted because
of its unique approach in supporting grassroots groups
and sustenance of professional and positive messages”.
“Having run a successful organisations and consistently
working with local groups in tackling FGM, I find it
hard to get true reflection of what is happening in the
community and have the message reach a hyperlocal
audience. Mojatu magazines have succeeded in other
countries and cities. We believe Mojatu Gambia will
deliver advertiser’s message straight to customer’s
category
homes, train local people and change
the community for the better”. Said Mr
Jah.
Valentine Nkoyo, the managing
director of Mojatu magazines and
director of Mojatu Foundation notes
that, launching a Mojatu Gambia is
an important step for supporting
education, training, health, gender
equality information and media, girls
and women”.
Dr Boly Barry, who is from Burkina
Faso and supports Mojatu Foundation
develop the strategy for entry into
West Africa thanked all involved and
noted that this is a proud day for all
Africans. “We thank the Hon. Omar
Sey and all those who have supported
Mojatu and other partners in this process. Let us use
Mojatu Magazine and the online, mobile, print and
audio tools to strengthen peace and positive actions
throughout Africa and beyond”.
Other than in the UK, Mojatu Magazines have presence
in Kenya and Somaliland. The expansion is in line with
the increasing demand for quality and authentic African
voices and desire for businesses and organisations to
access African market within and outside the continent.
Mrs Mariama Touray, Chairperson of STF outlined the
benefits the Mojatu magazine in Gambia will bring.
She said, “The magazine will promote better practices,
shared learning and more collaboration in our work.
This will help in the development and sustenance of
healthy, informed and knowledgeable communities. As
Africans, we are very proud of this huge step in our work
of empowering women and supporting education and
skills development”.
Over the last three years, Mojatu Magazines have
developed a unique model of working with local women,
girls and younger people in launching and running local
Mojatu magazines.
Veronica Barnes, Director of Blue Mountain Women
(BMW) in Nottingham, who volunteered to travel to
the Gambia noted that “This approach is important in
alleviating poverty and giving people voices. Mojatu do
not just publish and distribute the magazines but instead
trains and supports local people to have ownership in
what is said and written about them”.
Mojatu Gambia will train local people to source articles
which maintain positive and inspirational themes with
tips, ideas and partnership opportunities.