Halimatou Ceesay

Award-winning Journor, FP2030 Focal Person, SRHR and Women's & Child Rights Advocate, Editor-in-chief @SheTaleMedia

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#Survivors telling their stories and protecting their girls from FGM.

[SheTale Media Network @SheTaleblog]

“Before we got married, I told my husband that if we were blessed with daughters, they would never go through FGM,” she said.

Stories from the "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" Project, Funded by @FORWARDUK @ceesayj1

https://t.co/eUjpNCfTkC

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#Men Ending FGM in their Communities in the Gambia.

[SheTale Media Network @SheTaleblog]

Stories from the "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" Project, Funded by @FORWARDUK @ceesayj1

Boye said girls in his community are often subjected to FGM at a very young age. “In our village, I have seen young girls being circumcised,” he said
https://t.co/Cb94KVzc5d

[SheTale Media Network @SheTaleblog]

Stories from the "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" Project, Funded by @FORWARDUK
@ceesayj1

For some families, the decision to abandon FGM can come at a high personal cost.

In Wellingara Ba, that cost was the end of a marriage.

https://t.co/WBjY5HBRVd

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

Stories from the "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors" Project, funded by @FORWARDUK @SheTaleblog

“When I went into labour, I thought it was normal pain,” she recalled. “But it became too much. I suffered a lot.”

Link 👇

https://t.co/oDKMUBRQTC

[SheTale Media Network @SheTaleblog]

#EndFGM220
With the support and funding from @FORWARDUK, we are excited to announce the launch of a six-month podcast titled "Breaking the Silence: Voices of FGM Survivors." This podcast aims to amplify the voices of survivors and engaged stakeholders to #EndFGM. @ceesayj1

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

We are proud to announce that we won the Human Rights Award @GpuAwards! The story, "I am Gambana, Not a Slave," provides an in-depth exploration of the struggles faced by the Sarahulleh communities in (URR) as they fight to end caste-based discrimination. @San_Camar @SheTaleblog

[Sanna Camara™ @San_Camar]

My colleague @ceesayj1 swept the Human Rights Reporting Award at the @GpuAwards last evening.
I am so proud of her work, especially given that I have helped with final edits on such an investigative piece on caste system.
I salute her as a young woman, for going far and beyond.

[FORWARD UK @FORWARDUK]

📢 New Study - Journeys of Community Champions.

450+ Community Champions trained by FORWARD are challenging VAWG, stigma & barriers to support in migrant communities. 💛

Full study ⬇️
https://t.co/0z4khAN1nd

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#familyplanningfinancing

Investing in family planning reduces maternal and neonatal mortality, as well as teenage, unintended, and unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions. It is the right of every human being to decide when, how, and with whom to have children.

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#familyplanningfinancing

As the CSO Focal Person for @FP2030Global, I am currently attending a refresher SMART Advocacy workshop on Family Planning Financing with colleagues at the Sindola Hotel in Kanilai.

Investing in family planning reduces maternal and unsafe abortions.

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

From January to October 2025, the Network has recorded about 400 cases of sexual and gender-based violence through their one-stop centres, which extend from Banjul to Basse.

Link below 👇

https://t.co/Ek0LoVw6p6

[SheTale Media Network @SheTaleblog]

#endFGM
Ending the Practice of FGM has become challenging in the Gambia, with the recent attempt by religious, traditional and some lawmakers to repeal the anti-FGM Law of 2015. Though the attempt to repeal the Women's Amendment Act 2015 was not successful, it gave rise to pro-FGM camps and the spread of misinformation regarding the practice.

https://t.co/1yZHdRm9h7

[SheTale Media Network @SheTaleblog]

#Castediscrimination

This article uncovers the struggles of the Soninkara Community in the Upper River Region of the Gambia to free themselves from the clutches of caste-based slavery.

Click link 👇 for an interesting read

@ceesayj1

https://t.co/q2ahnlIzuh

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#humanrights
#womemsrights
#womeninmedia
I am among more than 10 human rights advocates and activists from the African Continent selected by @AcdhrsOrg to attend a training on Regional and International Human Rights systems and mechanisms in Banjul.

[United Nations @UN]

Menstrual health is a human right.

Yet, millions lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities.

On Wednesday's #MenstrualHygieneDay & every day, @UNFPA works to improve menstrual health, ensuring dignity for all. https://t.co/KWbrSF8Rck

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#MenstrualHygieneDay

Batully, who is years older than most of us in the classroom happens to be taken unawares by her menstrual cycle and starts bleeding in class. When she realised it, the back of her uniform was already soaked with blood. Ashamed....

https://t.co/dEdf9xKta0

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#NGOForum
#83rdOrdinarySessionofACHPR

Today, I deliver a statement on behalf of International Women Lawyers Federation and @CastoutSlavery at the 83rd Ordinary session of @ACHPR on the inclusion and promotion of the Rights of CDWD across the African continent and globally.

[FORWARD UK @FORWARDUK]

✨ Are you passionate about #community development and driving positive change?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join FORWARD as a Community Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator.

👉🏽For more information (Deadline, 11/04/2025): https://t.co/R9DkSSbo63

#charityjobs

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#Afghanistan
These closures are not just numbers on a report, they represent mothers unable to give birth safely, children missing lifesaving vaccinations, entire communities left without protection from deadly disease outbreaks," said @WHOEMRO

https://t.co/7Uugp3mpmg

[Halimatou Ceesay @ceesayj1]

#women
#Kanyelengs
#tales of Gambian Women

The #Kanyelengs do not only solve infertility issues for women, but they are also the perfect definition of humility. I am humbled to be in the midst of Yaye and her Kanyeleng group of Farafenni.

#barramuso on @SheTaleblog