Jama Jack

Jama Jack is a feminist leader, blogger, and Communications professional. She is an ardent advocate and activist for the promotion and respect of the rights of women and girls, and has been actively involved in advocacy and social change work since age 10. Jama is guided by her passion to ensure the respect and fulfilment of the rights of women and girls, and their protection from all forms of discrimination and violence. She is interested in the intersection between advocacy communication and social change, and uses her professional skills and experience to support organisations and initiatives working to support women and girls in The Gambia and beyond.

Education 

Jama is currently completing studies for a MPhil in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa from the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Her research explores the Gambian State’s obligation, under the Maputo Protocol, to create public awareness on the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation. In 2014, she completed her undergraduate studies, earning a BA in Communication Studies and Journalism from the Institut Superieur de l’Information et de la Communication in Rabat, Morocco. She has also completed short courses on digital communication, human rights, etc.

Professional Experience

Jama is the Head of Communications at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where she leads the Communications and Engagement team to deliver efficient results in the internal and external communications processes of the Unit.

Prior to this, she was the Communication Officer at UNICEF The Gambia, following a successful Knowledge Management and Visibility Consultancy with the agency. At UNICEF, Jama led and implemented all communication activities, including advocacy activities, digital communication, media and public engagements, and other related activities, in line with UNICEF’s global communication and public advocacy priorities. She contributed to an increase in UNICEF’s visibility in The Gambia, and used her networks and experiences to support engagements with children and youth in The Gambia.

Jama also served as University Communication Officer at the Office of the Vice Chancellor, University of The Gambia from 2014 to 2015, providing communication and administrative support to the VC and other senior staff.

Jama has also provided communication and public relations consultancies for UNFPA The Gambia, the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), State of Mic Multimedia, STS Pictures, etc.

She also completed successful internships at various institutions including: Unique FM Radio, the Daily Observer Newspaper, Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa, Starfish International, among others.

“In the end, when I lay down to sleep – at night or for the last time – I hope it will be with a feeling of fulfillment and appreciation of the fact that the fountain gave what it could and held on to what it needed. And in a world with so many fountains, some bigger and deeper, the grass always has a chance to stay evergreen.” – Jama Jack, 2018

Service to Humanity

From the very early age of 10 years, Jama joined Lend a Hand Society, marking the beginning of what will be a lifelong journey of service to humanity. At Lend A Hand, she became the first President of the Children’s Wing, and went on to hold various leadership positions within the organisation. It was at this organisation that she overcame her fear and grew into a young leader with a strong voice, mounting small and big stages to raise awareness on children’s rights, HIV/AIDS and other relevant social issues. Her love and passion for communication and the media were also nurtured at this stage, through the weekly radio shows that she often presented and would eventually help to produce, in addition to the publication of two main newsletters.

Jama would eventually grow to be affiliated with, and immersed in, various organisations working to make life better for all humans. Presently, volunteers her time and skills with various other organisations, especially those working on issues affecting women and girls. She is the Communications Manager at Think Young Women, a young women-led organisation addressing and catering to the needs of girls and young women in The Gambia. Jama leads innovative Communications strategies and initiatives at the organisation, and has also been sought as a trainer on Communication and New Media for other organisations and institutions in The Gambia.

Other affiliations, past and present, include:

• Women Deliver – Young Leader 2018
• Gam-Africa Institute for Leadership (GAIL)- Board Member
• Starfish International – Volunteer
• World Economic Forum Global Shapers Banjul Hub – Curator
• Gambian Students’ Association in Morocco – Vice President, President
• Gambians Against Rape and Molestation – Member
• Nda Mariam Jagne Family Foundation – Volunteer
• FRIDA The Young Feminist Fund – Advisor

Women Deliver Young Leader 2018, Women Deliver

100 Most Influential Young Africans 2016, Africa Youth Awards

Starfish Supporter Legacy Award 2016, Starfish International

International Women’s Day Award 2015, Girls for the Future