We aim to develop educational outreach programs, working with and involving local women’s groups. We are dedicated to providing for accurate information as well as practical help and advise with respect for cultural tradition and beliefs .
The main cause of infertility are infectious diseases which may be sexually transmitted (STD’s) or caused by traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and unsafe abortions and home deliveries in unhygienic circumstances. These infections, if left untreated often result in bilateral tubal occlusion. Primary prevention should therefore include educating the people on these subjects. Focus should be on informing young people on how to avoid STD’s.
We aim to open dialogue and educate people on reproductive health and rights in general, and infertility and related subjects such as family planning, contraception, FGM, child marriage etc in particular.
We are focusing on four fronts:
Schools & Youth Organizations
Reproductive health issues are not discussed with adolescent girls who are the group most at risk from the main causes of infertility such as STDs and infections caused by female genital mutilation.
We aim to introduce reproductive health education to the schools with presentations. and workshops. The best way to demonstrate our commitment to the cause and to these schools is by donating the necessary posters and pamphlets and stocking the library with appropriate texts.
Health Centres & Clinics
Medical staff in Gambia are already overstretched and infertility is not a priority. Infertile women may be wrongly or over prescribed with drugs or treated with unnecessary or harmful procedures such as D & C.
We aim to educate health care professionals with the current insights and guidelines for infertility care and create a standardised process for diagnosis and treatment.
Established Women’s Organisations
There’s a number of well established women’s organisations active in the Gambia dedicated to different topics concerning women and girl’s empowerment and well-being. Examples are Gamcotrap (addressing FMG) and Women in Development.
We aim to work alongside these organisations to add value to the work that they are doing and increase the impact of these joint ventures on women’s issues.
Women’s Groups
Kanyaleng are traditional groups of women united by their reproductive difficulties. These women all know the agony of unwanted childlessness, either through infertility of child mortality. Almost every village or suburban neighborhood in The Gambia has its own group of Kanyaleng. They create strong support networks in which they try to achieve their goals through work and prayer.
Kanyalengs often perform at public gatherings and celebrations such as weddings and naming ceremonies and are well known and respected in their communities. We aim to work closely with these groups and empower them with the information and materials to educate their local women on the causes and prevention of infertility.
Read more on The Kanyaleng