The government is facing a backlash over its move for female officials to close at 2pm to enable them get home and cook for their families during Ramadan.
In a memo that has emerged online, the Personnel Management Office on Tuesday wrote to all permanent secretary informing them of authorizing all female workers to close at 2pm from Monday to Thursday “and adhere to the normal closing time for Friday (12:30pm) in honour of the holy month of Ramadan which officially begins today Tuesday 13 April, 2021”.
The missive said “this is to allow female staff to attend to their traditional evening ‘itar’ preparations ahead of the breaking of the fast”.
Gambians have reacted variously to the move with both Christians and non-Christians reacting.
Neneh Gomez blasted: “Christians are Gambians and we deserve to be treated as Gambians. What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. We christians observed our Lenten season for forty good days and I bet you all those Christians civil servants went to work while fasting and closed normal time. Ooops, least I forget, the Secretary General of the christian civil servants forgot to issue a directive for christian women to close work early.
“Thanks to the Secretary General of the muslim civil servants under the dynamic leadership of the president of the Muslims in the Gambia, Adama Barrow, for looking after your people. When you are represented, you will never be considered. Unless the people at the helm of it are fair and considerate. Unfortunately our own people are the epitome of selfishness and inconsiderate.”
Annetta Titita wrote: “My fellow Christians women did you receive such letter during the lent period. Or are we invisible? treated differently by the government in our own country.
“I heard that SSHFC, did not allow Christians to go for afternoon mass during the lent period. Correct me if I’m wrong.
“Also women’s role is to be in the kitchen, as they’ve highlighted.”
Coach Pasamba Jow in lending his voice to the issue said: “The Gambia is NOT an Islamic State, it is a country of Muslims and Christians alike, who are all CITIZENS and must be treated equally as such. The patronizing and blatant discriminatory move by the Secretary General to order female Civil Servants to close at 2pm during the month of Ramadaan is absolutely repugnant. The Christians observed Lent without any such directives, begging the question: Why?
“Gambia Muslims have observed many Ramadaans without ever needing a Secretary General to come up with such a divisive and patronizing directive. The Secretary General, and by extension the President, must always be guided by what is just and what is in the general interest of all Gambians. Ridiculous directives like this, do nothing but fan the flames of discord among a population that has lived harmoniously together.”
Pa Louis Thomasi said: “This is the height of recklessness and irresponsibility. How can the State come up with such an irresponsible and discriminatory letter? This is shameful and disrespectful to the Christian community of the Gambia.”
