Young people form the majority of Gambian migrants taking the irregular route to Europe by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Although a dangerous journey, many young people take the risk with the belief that they will find better opportunities and greener pastures upon their arrival at their desired destination. However, this dream is all too often far from reality and exposes them to abuse and exploitation which could have severe impact on their health and wellbeing and sometimes even result in death. Demba Touray was one of many youth in his community who had this dream.

According to the UN Migration Agency, more than 35,000 Gambians arrived in Europe by irregular means between 2014 and 2018 alone. For many young people who undertake this journey, they do so in search of an opportunity to access socio-economic advancement.

Previously, Demba intended to take the backway to Europe due to his frustrations as a young person not included in development and decision making in his community, Gunjur. However, upon his participation in the Space for Peace dialogues supported by UNFPA with funding from UN Peacebuilding, Demba had a change of heart and decided to stay back and contribute towards the development of his community and country.

According to him, his participation in the dialogues awakened in him a strong interest in the development of his country and this can only be realised by starting from community level. Demba is now engaging his peers in Gunjur through their “ataya campehs” to tackle hate speech and understand their roles in decision making. “Ataya Campehs” are social gathers where young people sit together in street corners to brew green tea and socialise. In Gunjur, Demba and his mates at the “ataya campehs” hold conversations on supporting community mechanisms to foster peace and promote socio-economic development.

These “Ataya Campehs” were previously used as platforms for the young people of Gunjur to mobilise themselves to propagate hate speech and fuel violence within and outside their community. Interestingly, these Campehs are today being utilised to gather young people to preach and practice peace.

During our encounter with him, Demba emphasised that it is time for young people like him to approach leaders in his community and demand to be included in steering the affairs of their people. He believes that development is a job for everyone to partake in, in order for society to reap its unlimited dividends. In his view, the potential of young people of The Gambia are untapped and hold the solution for the country’s peace and development.

“I am no longer thinking of taking the backway to Europe. I want to be more involved in leadership and decision making in my community.” – Demba Touray

Demba’s change of heart and new found interest in community leadership and efforts to build and sustain peace compliment the gains being made under the UN Peacebuilding project on the reintegration of returnee migrants.

Young people are at the core of UNFPA’s mandate. In The Gambia, the UN Peacebuilding supported project on Young Women and Men as Stakeholders in Ensuring Peaceful Democratic Processes and as Advocates in the Prevention of Violence and Hate Speech provides UNFPA an opportunity to further invest in empowering young people of The Gambia and ensuring their participation in leadership and decision. This is in addition to the agency’s support to the Government of The Gambia and Civil Society Organisations to enable young people to develop the skills, knowledge and support needed to make informed decisions about their bodies, lives, families, communities and country.

Media contact:

Haddy Jonga – Programme Analyst Communications, UNFPA The Gambia jonga@unfpa.org