Fantanka

26/08/2026

This story is sad, but some of the comments make it even sadder. They show how badly we are thinking about this problem as a society.

If many young girls are repeatedly ending up in dangerous situations like this, blaming the girls (victims) solves nothing. Young people are shaped by the society that raises them. We should be asking - What are we doing wrong that leaves so many girls unprepared for these dangers?

If we want this to stop, we have to first change how we raise girls. That is the foundation.

In the society we live in girls need more than lessons about being polite, respectful and obedient. We cannot raise them into meekly accepting instructions always. They need confidence from a young age. They need to understand s*x, relationships, manipulation, pressure and the dangers they may face from predatory men. They need to know how to recognize danger, set boundaries, say no, speak up and protect themselves.

And this cannot be left to government or parents alone. It is the responsibility of the whole society - families, neighborhoods, schools, communities and the state.

Fantanka

HIGH COURT: Another alleged victim of 76-year-old Jan

Let us call her Fatou Bintou Jallow to protect her identity.

According to her statement that was submitted to the AG Chambers for review, Fatou Bintou went to Palma Rima Beach with her sister, where she met Jan. She was U-18 at the time. Jan asked for her phone number, which she gave him.

About a month later, Fatou Bintou allegedly received a call from Jan. She said he asked: “Do you remember me? I am the toubab you met at Palma Rima Beach last month.”

He allegedly told her that he recently returned from Holland and had some gifts for her. Fatou Bintou subsequently visited him at his residence in Kololi, where, she alleged, he gave her a mobile phone before having s3x with her.

As he allegedly did with other young women, Jan told Fatou Bintou that he was a medical doctor and asked her to visit his house regularly for medical check-ups.

She alleged that Jan began visiting her family, often bringing medicines and food items. When Fatou Bintou completed Grade 12, she received sponsorship to enrol at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute. But she alleged that Jan managed to convince her to discontinue her education.

Jan allegedly convinced Fatou Bintou’s family to allow her to live with him and help take care of his house. She subsequently moved into his residence in Kololi.

Fatou Bintou said she noticed that whenever they had s3x, the 76-year-old would record the encounters. According to her, she confronted him about the recordings, and he promised to delete all the videos.

She told police investigators that she allowed Jan to have s3x with her and insert various objects into her "Nyimasata" because she was afraid that he might leak her n*de videos and photographs.

One day, she said, she decided to return to her family and never went back to Jan’s residence.

25/08/2026

Domestic violence is often hidden behind silence, shame, and the belief that what happens at home should stay at home.

But beating, threatening, humiliating, controlling, or s*xually forcing your partner is not love, discipline, or a normal part of marriage. It is abuse.

Let’s stop protecting abuse in the name of keeping the family together. Let’s protect survivors, speak up against violence, and build homes where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Silence protects abuse. Speaking up can help break the cycle. Family should be a place of safety, not fear.

25/08/2026

Domestic violence is often hidden behind silence, shame, and the belief that what happens at home should stay at home.

But beating, threatening, humiliating, controlling, or s*xually forcing your partner is not love, discipline, or a normal part of marriage. It is abuse.

Let’s stop protecting abuse in the name of keeping the family together. Let’s protect survivors, speak up against violence, and build homes where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Silence protects abuse. Speaking up can help break the cycle. Family should be a place of safety, not fear.

Fantanka

20/08/2026

Every young person has potential, and debate is one of the platforms which exposes their hidden potential.

With support from ATJLF, Fantanka had built the capacities of many students through public speaking, arguing their views on issues and networking.

Through the National Championship Debate Competition, young people from different schools participated and challenged each other on Transitional Justice and Gender-Based Violence.

20/08/2026

Every Young person has potential and debate is one of the platforms which exposes their hidden potential.

With support from ATJLF, Fantanka had built the capacities of many students through public speaking, arguing their views on issues and networking.

Through the National Championship Debate Competition, young people from different schools participated and challenged each other on Transitional Justice, and Gender-Based Violence.

Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund

12/08/2026

Happy International Youth Day!

Today, Fantanka celebrates young people as powerful voices and agents of change in building a more just, inclusive, and peaceful Gambia.

We believe in creating spaces where young people can learn, lead, speak up and actively shape the future they want to see.

Invest in young people. Empower their voices. Build the future together.

12/08/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲!

Today, Fantanka celebrates young people as powerful voices and agents of change in building a more just, inclusive and peaceful Gambia.

We believe in creating spaces where young people can learn, lead, speak up and actively shape the future they want to see.

Invest in young people. Empower their voices. Build the future together.




Fantanka

12/08/2026

When we said “Never Again”, gender-Based Violence was a critical part of it. SGBV has no place in our society. We must all become advocates for change by speaking against it, creating safe spaces for survivors and holding perpetrators accountable.

Implementing “Never Again” is a task for all of us.

Together, we can build communities where everyone lives with dignity, safety and respect.


Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund

11/08/2026

With funding and support from the ATJLF, Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund Fantanka has been distributing Child-Friendly TRRC Reports for the past 2 years to schools in order to help young people better understand the TRRC, its findings, recommendations, and The Gambia’s transitional justice process.

Through school-based dissemination and peer learning, students are encouraged to understand the past, engage with human rights issues, and recognize their role in promoting accountability and preventing future violations.

About 25 schools were reached, 250 English copies were distributed, and 150 copies of the Arabic version were equally distributed through this initiative.



Fantanka

07/06/2026

The child-friendly TRRC Report distribution reached Armitage SSS, Bansang UBSSS, and Brikama Ba UBSSS.

Making transitional justice outcomes accessible to young people is key to remembering and creating informed, active citizens and investing on the “Never again” commitment.