The
World Food Programme (WFP) representative and country director in The Gambia,
Tuesday said that 35% of women worldwide have suffered Sexual Gender Based
Violence (SGBV).
Representing
the UN resident coordinator at the commemoration of the 16 days activism
against gender based violence, Wanja Kaaria said women and girls universally
experience rape, sexual violence, and abuses everywhere.
She
said the exact number of rape and sexual assault cases are ‘notoriously’
difficult to confirm due to frequent impunity for perpetrators, stigma towards
survivors and their subsequent silence.
“Rape
is rooted in a complex set of patriarchal beliefs, power, and control that
continue to create a social environment in which sexual violence is pervasive
and normalized,” she said.
The
WFP country director also said The Gambia is witnessing critical and difficult
reports within the communities, but said all survivors of violence deserve the
same range of sensitive, confidential and survivor centered support.
She
however said that the UN is working to keep the promises made by global leaders
in 2015 through the 2030 agenda for sustainable development which is aimed at
ensuring that ‘no one is left behind.’
She
said UN agencies in The Gambia are working to invest in building capacities of
gender machinery, law enforcement institutions, engaging grassroots communities
and strengthening the health system to build a survivor- centered response
system.
“The
various agencies will work to ensure that all stakeholders play their
respective roles in preventing and combating violence in all forms. UN urges
the government of The Gambia to put in place stringent measures to ensure that
perpetrators are held accountable and that victims receive the right response.
I also call on communities to work towards eradicating the menace of SGBV.”
According
to her, SGBV is not acceptable under any circumstances and the UN would work
with the government and the people of The Gambia to ensure that a Gambia free
of allforms of violence against women particularly, sexual and gender based
violence (SGBV) is created.
Deputy
Commissioner of police, Ramatoulie Sambou said SGBV is a priority of the
police, adding that through the partnership with Women Bureau and the support
of the UN system in The Gambia, the police force has been implementing series
of activities to prevent and respond to sexual and gender base violence.
