Dimbayaa
Dimbayaa is a Mandinka word that means ‘Family’, as well as ‘Fertility’. In the Gambia people may whish you ‘Good Dimbayaa’, a healthy family…
This Year’s Goal..
The Challenge – At a glance –
Women in the Gambia have limited access to Reproductive Health Care & Education, particularly in the fields of: Family Planning, Infertility Care and Stigma, Prevention and treatment of STIs, Cervical Cancer and Harmful Traditional Practices; Child marriage and FGM.
Our Goals – We Hope to Achieve
We are seeking funding to implement a nationwide SRHR campaign targeting all women and girls aged 10 and up in The Gambia. Partnering with Government, Private as well as NGO clinics the project will provide Cervical Cancer Screening, STD screening, Menstrual Health and Hygiene education, Infertility Support, and Family Planning Services. Read More
Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights SRHR, or sexual and reproductive health and rights involve the rights to sexual health, reproductive health, sexual rights, and reproductive rights.
“Every human being has a right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.. Individuals and couples have the right to decide the number, timing and spacing of their children. Addressing infertility is therefor an important part of realizing the right of individuals and couples to found a family” (WHO 2020)
We strive to develop educational outreach programs on SRHR awareness working with women’s groups both in urban and rural areas. Read More on Educational Outreach
Our main inspiration on this journey are the women you see below:
“By empowering women, health status and income levels in households and communities can improve“ (Fatoumata Bah Barrow, the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia)
Sexual and Reproductive health and rights involves tackling problems such as female genital mutilation (FMG), polygamy, child mortality as well as infertility. All people should have the right to decide if and when they are ready to have children. Even though the right to sexual and reproductive health care is an integral part of human rights adopted by the international community, in Africa they often remain neglected. Read on for more on Women’s Health Issues in Africa
Infertility the Facts World-wide 1 in 6 couples encounter fertility issues. In sub-Saharan Africa the situation is worse; Up to 30% of the women aged 25-49 suffer from secondary infertility; The failure to conceive after an initial first pregnancy (WOH demographic studies 2004)
Read More on Infertility; Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Infertility in Africa In many developing countries, the inability to conceive is often considered a personal tragedy as well as a curse for the couple. In addition to the personal grief and suffering it causes, infertility can create broader problems, particularly for the woman, in terms of stigma, economic hardship, social isolation, and even violence.
In the absence of social security systems, people in Africa are often economically dependent on their children. The social burden falls disproportionally on women. Women who remain childless may be seen as a burden on the socioeconomic well-being of a community and suffer from stigma and isolation. This may extend to the wider family, including siblings, parents and in-laws, who are deeply disappointed over the loss of continuity of their family and contribution to the community.
Read more on The Impact of Infertility
Gambian Tradition on Infertility Unlike the Western world, where infertility is openly discussed and help and information is widely available, in the Gambia the topic very often is taboo. Infertility is not considered to be a medical problem but causes, and therefore also remedies, are sought in the spiritual world.
When asked to explain their inability to bear children, women in the Gambia often refer to a spiritual and physical affliction known as kuntofengo, or spirit husband, who might be jealous of the sexual relations and subsequent pregnancies she has with her human, material-world husband. They may seek help from spiritual healers (the marabout), herbalists, or seek answer to their prayers at sacred places such as the Kachikaly crocodile pool.
Click here for more about Infertility in the Gambian Tradition
