Jabou,

This is true but i guess people are not aware of the "Keer Hali at Kanifing" I think it is the Islamic council. I don't know much about its activities and how this protects our women. I kept on hearing my Mum talking about it especially when people come to her on disputes over childcare and allowances. Also i guess the social welfare can also assist in this regard.

I think one need to investigate more on this. At present most women tend to shoulder the whole responsibility unless the man decides to take up his fatherly responsibilities. The last one is the courts but then again it is very difficult for our women to use them due to fear of what people will say. The majority of these women cannot afford the cost of legal representation. It is different in other African countries were you have the FIDAs’ and WILDAFs’, these are NGOs run by group of women lawyers who fight for the rights of women and they can give you free legal representation.

When a woman is divorced she is left with nothing and the decision to assist or share the property is left with the man. Don’t forget that our situation is more complex due to Islamic, Customary and civil law. Some of these laws are used against the women when ever it suits the men.

 

 

The Struggle Continues!!!!!

Ndey Jobarteh