Source: Daily Observer
The Methodist Women's Federation Gambia will be hosting the West Africa Area Seminar of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, from the 20th to 24th May 2013. The seminar will host over 350 women delegates from more than 8 countries under the theme, "Women and food security".

According to a press release issued to the Daily Observer, this sub-regional seminar is organised every five years to provide an opportunity for Methodist women from English and French speaking countries in West Africa to fellowship, share progress and good practices on issues of social justice and women's leadership. The theme for the 2013 Area Seminar is relevant to women of West Africa, and The Gambia in particular. The release added that the changing climate, economic downturn and environmental degradation have taken their toll on land, livestock and humans (women and children being the most vulnerable).

The Methodist Women's Federation, The Gambia (MWFTG), was founded in October 2010, as the umbrella body for all Methodist women groups in The Gambia. It is a charitable Church organisation, spearheaded by women. Its activities include supporting women, youths and families at the community and grassroots level.

The Area Seminar, the release went on, will be declared open on Tuesday 21st May, 2013 by the Most Reverend Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim, President of the Methodist Church of The Gambia, the first woman Bishop in West Africa. "She will also give the keynote address on 'Women fighting hunger, poverty and social injustice: Christian Leadership and Responsibility' while Honorable Solomon Owens, minister of Agriculture, will lead the sessions and speak on, 'The fight against poverty and hunger in Africa: State of Achievement of the MDGs; the way forward'", it states.

The release disclosed that the five days' seminar will also showcase a display of Gambian talents in the form of an exhibition which will run the entire duration of the Area Seminar, and various speakers from different walks of life will talk on a wide range of issues affecting women in particular and their families.