Igniting Disruptive Change in The Gambia Through Cultural Inclusion

Many believe change that is considered “disruptive” must be created through negative methods. Mbamata “Fatou” Jawneh, an inspirational participant in Tostan’s informal education program from The Gambia, is a woman who creates disruption by building bridges rather than burning them. With her natural ability to lead and the knowledge and skills she learned through participating in Tostan, Fatou has helped to ignite positive change in her community and beyond. After attending Tostan’s program, Fatou was elected Coordinator of the Community Management Committee in her village, Munekunda.  In this role she does not try to impose change; rather she works with her fellow community members and larger social network to create consensus around ways in which they can improve health and wellbeing in their community. Fatou has seen incredible change since working within her community! Through Fatou’s efforts, women have been encouraged to participate and become leaders. Acting as partners in community, women have led activities like the creation of a birth registration campaign during which over 360 children were registered and weekly organized community clean-ups. In addition to these activities, Fatou engages discussions about previously taboo issues affecting women’s health such as female genital cutting (FGC) and child/forced marriage.   Fatou has been able to reach the most conservative members of her community by working within their cultural practices. Thes...
Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care - Category: Health Medicine and Bioethics Commentators Authors: Tags: Advocacy Disparities Global Health Patients Policy Women's Health Source Type: blogs