On 2 July 2026, newly appointed member and Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Children of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), Hon. Satang Nabaneh, led a group of young women from high schools, alongside law students and student mentors from across The Gambia, on a learning visit to IHRDA as part of the Young Women’s Justice and Legal Immersion (JALI) Fellowship.

The visit introduced participants to the African human rights system and its key mechanisms, providing an opportunity to deepen their understanding of regional human rights protection. The learning session was facilitated by Michael Gyan Nyarko, IHRDA’s Deputy Executive Director, Awa Gai, Legal Officer, Maria Saine, Advocacy Officer, and Abigail Nthuba, Waging Justice for Women (WJW) Fellow.

Reflecting on the session, Aji Njie, a law student, shared:

“Today, I learned that the African Charter protects the rights of individuals. I also learned about the Maputo Protocol and how it protects the rights of women in my country.”

The JALI Fellowship is designed to expose young women to the African human rights system, provide practical insights into human rights advocacy, and showcase the diverse career pathways available within the field.