A local NGO known as Conscience International yesterday briefed the press on the commemoration of its 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
According to its officials, the campaign will run from 25 November to 10 December 2011, to be commemorated by Conscience International (CI) in collaboration with the African Women Development Fund (AWDF).
The aim of the campaign is to highlight the connection between women, violence and human rights.
Speaking at a press conference held at their office in Fajara, Shaka Ceesay, Director of CI, says gender-based violence continues to be a great concern and challenge in everyday social life at different levels of societies.
However, he added that awareness creation and capacity building in communities on such issues form part of their contributions as an NGO to complement the efforts of the State in fulfilling the development aspirations of the nation.
Coordinated by the Center for Women Global Leadership (CWGL), the annual campaign is observed globally by activists at the local, national, regional and international levels, he said, adding that it is usually marked with activities such as radio, TV programmes, workshops, exhibitions, and public education.
According to him, it was in 1981, when women’s activists began marking the event (25 November) as a day against gender-based violence.
He noted that the time period encompasses four significant dates - International Day Against Violence Against Women, World AIDS Day, Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and Human Rights Day.
As part of their activities, Ceesay said their organization and partners will conduct lectures on gender-based violence on 29 and 30 November 2011 at its headquarters in Fajara, a radio presentation on 7 and 8 December 2011 and a march pass from traffic light to the organisation’s headquarters in Fajara on 10 December 2011.
“Over the years, the annual campaign has grown and now includes participations of more than 1000 organisations in over 100 countries,” Ceesay said.
