After weeks of protests for the repatriation of dozens of Gambian women stranded in Lebanon, they are finally to return home thanks to the campaign and support of Sweden-based Gambian activist.

Lovette Jallow, the woman leading the campaign calling for the repatriation of the women, wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday night: 

“Our women are coming home from Lebanon.

“The Gambian government has agreed to cooperate with my NGO (organisation) in the repatriations of 38 Gambian women and children.”

Ms Jallow said she took the actions due to the government inaction to repatriate the women who found themselves trapped in a country in a severe economic and political crisis. 

She has employed the services of Lebanese lawyers to help the women navigate Lebanon’s complex and discriminatory Kafala (sponsorship) system for migrant workers. 

“We also paid for half the lawyers fees at the same time the remaining $2500 will be paid when the women enter the flight. 

“Tomorrow the women pick up their printed tickets with our lawyers,” Ms Jallow said. 

Lebanon has become the destination for thousands of African women who are usually trafficked to the country with promises of lucrative jobs. 

Many find themselves working as maid and domestic workers in terrible conditions. It becomes like a modern day slavery where the women with limited rights are at the mercy of their abusive employers. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba