The network against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV) in partnership with ActionAid The Gambia with funding from Amplifying and The United Nations Population (UNFPA) and partnership with civil society organizations in The Gambia, has officially launched the 28th year of the 16 days activism against Gender Based Violence started in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. 

The 16 days activism against GBV is a global campaign commencing from 25th November which marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to 10th December which also marks the Human Rights day signifying the correlation between violence against women and human rights.

The global theme for this year’s campaign is “Orange the world; Fund, Respondent, Prevent,Collect” while the local theme campaign is “Orange The Gambia; Strengthen domestic funding to enhance national response in combating Sexual and Gender Based- Violence.”

The sixteen days activism is aimed to synchronize collective efforts to ensure that all forms of sexual and gender based violence is completely eradicated in The Gambia. “Our theme reflects the network’s stand to brighten the future for a Gambia free from violence”

Speaking to the press, Mr. Fallou Sowe, The National Co-ordinator for the network, said, the United Nation reported that globally, 243 million women and girls were abused by an intimate partner in the past year and out of the lot, less than 40% of them reported it or seek help indicating that there’s a serious under- reporting of violence against women especially when perpetrator is an intimate partner.

He added that GBV data collected by the Network from 9 One-stop centers in health facilities across the country, continue to show increasing numbers of reported sexual violence cases 87% of which are sexual violence cases while 13% are physical violence cases. He said these traumatic experiences can cause serious psychological, emotional and physical effects such as post- traumatic disorder, experiences reoccurring, gynecological problems, injuries, infections, sexual health problems and social disputes. He noted that sexual violence is not only a human rights violation but also health, development, peace and security issues that needs to be holistically addressed.

Concluding, the network paid tribute to all the victims and activists who have fallen on the battlefield before achieving their goals. Victims like the 8-year-old who was brutally raped and murdered three years ago, the woman who was battered to death by her husband a few months ago and the 12-year-old girl who was recently sexually abused, impregnated, kidnapped and subsequently allegedly murdered by her abusers. They equally honored the memories of the late Sise Jaha Sawaneh and Abdou Jatta who were staunch advocates and champions against violence against women and girls.

 

By: Fatoumatta Samateh