Gambia Participates trains 35 youth, women to combat election disinformation online
Gambia Participates, a non-partisan civic organization promoting transparent governance and public accountability, has trained 35 young women and men to use social media for credible electoral information, civic education, and political advocacy ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
The 3-day training was held in Bakadaji under the FIAP project. It aimed to equip participants with skills to develop safe, credible, and effective online advocacy campaigns. The opening ceremony brought together representatives from FIAP, the European Union, Spain, and other partners.
At the event, Ms. Annetta B.V. Mahoney of Gambia Participates said the training was designed to help young people channel their growing online activity into meaningful civic engagement.
“The Gambia is a young country; close to seven in 10 of us are under the age of 35,” she said. “Young people, particularly young women, remain underrepresented in decision-making.”
Mahoney noted that many young Gambians already use WhatsApp groups, videos, and hashtags to discuss elections, governance, and service delivery, but often lack training and networks to make their efforts more effective.
The training focused on storytelling, content creation, online safety, and developing campaign materials.
For his part, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, stressed the importance of responsible civic participation and communication as the country approaches the elections.
Spanish Chargée d’Affaires Ms. Maria Dolores Artola said young people and women must have the space and support to participate meaningfully in public life.
“This workshop matters because the Gambian population is a young one,” Artola said. “Young people should be able to speak up without compromising their safety or dignity.”
She added that Spain was proud to support the initiative and described democratic governance as a growing area of cooperation between Spain and The Gambia.
EU Deputy Head in The Gambia, Mr. Raphael Brigandi, said digital platforms have become a key space for political debate, mobilization, and accountability.
He warned that while social media can empower citizens, it can also spread hate, intimidation, and disinformation.
“Democracy is not only about having a voice, it’s also about being able to use that voice safely, freely and with dignity,” Brigandi said.
He urged participants to use the training to promote responsible advocacy and peaceful, inclusive democratic participation.
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