Violence Against Women
Source: The Daily Observer
The Network on Gender Based Violence (NGBV), in collaboration with Action Aid The Gambia (AAITG), on Thursday held a day's sensitisation on gender-based violence for local government authorities from Kanifing Municipal Council, Brikama Area Council and Banjul City Council, at the National Nutrition Agency.
The Network on Gender Based Violence is a Finnish initiative aimed at combating violence against women and girls in The Gambia. It is also a platform which seeks to bring together NGOs and public institutions involved in women empowerment, as well to provide coordination and discussion of gender issues in the country.
Speaking at the forum, Haddy Mboge-Barrow, the national coordinator of Network on Gender Based Violence (NGBV), affirmed that the main objective of the Network is to fight against gender-based violence. She explained that they have decided to use the local government authorities in order to ensure the proper dissemination of the information, because they are the representatives of their councils. She urged them to put information gathered at the forum into good use.
Haddy asserted that they have taken it upon themselves to make gender-based violence a thing of the past and protect lives. According to her, this is a programme to share ideas, experience and knowledge.
Fanta Jatta-Sowe, the women's programme manager at AAITG, noted that gender-based violence is not an issue affecting only females but males as well, pointing out that gender-based violence frequently occur in homes. She urged the participants to critically look at issues in their surroundings for they might be victims, survivors or witnesses.
Fanta stated that the Women's Act might be puzzling to some but that there is a special need to have such an Act to promote rights of women and create less space for vulnerability. While noting government's efforts by by creating the required laws, Madam Jatta-Sowe urged them to make changes in society were necessary and always lend a helping hand to boost the peace inthe country.