Dr. Satang Nabaneh, a distinguished Gambian legal scholar and human rights advocate, has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Women Have Wings Award, recognizing her courageous efforts to foster a just and peaceful future through her groundbreaking work in democratizing legal knowledge in The Gambia.
In 2018, Dr. Nabaneh founded Law Hub Gambia, a self-funded NGO launched in the wake of the country’s 22-year dictatorship, to empower legal professionals, policymakers, researchers, and citizens with accessible legal resources. Her bold vision has strengthened the rule of law and bolstered democracy by providing free access to critical legal information, enabling Gambians to understand and claim their rights. Law Hub Gambia’s expanding online platform, including its YouTube channel and “The Law Hub Podcast,” simplifies complex legal and human rights issues, often in local languages, to engage a broader audience, particularly women and girls.
The organization’s accessible primers on key frameworks, such as the Women’s Act and the Truth and Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), have sparked national dialogue on constitutional and transitional justice issues. Dr. Nabaneh’s leadership also led to the publication of The Gambia in Transition: Towards a New Constitutional Order (Pretoria University Law Press, 2022), a pioneering open-access volume launched by Chief Justice Hon. Hassan B. Jallow. This work, alongside Law Hub Gambia’s convening power and applied research, has ignited civic empowerment, equipping citizens to actively participate in shaping a robust democracy.
“Dr. Nabaneh’s work exemplifies courage and innovation,” said a Women Have Wings in a statement. “Her commitment to making legal knowledge accessible is transforming The Gambia’s democratic landscape and inspiring others to act.”
Dr. Nabaneh’s recognition has been met with widespread celebration, including from her family. “So incredibly proud of my Sister, Dr. Satang Nabaneh, for making the 2025 Women Have Wings list. You remain THE Standard!!!” her friend MusuBakoto Sawo said.
Through Law Hub Gambia, Dr. Nabaneh continues to cultivate an informed citizenry, fostering dialogue and empowering communities to build a more just and equitable future. Her work stands as a beacon of hope for The Gambia and beyond.
