Tabu
Njie-Sarr, head of Civil Society Gender Platform on Transitional Justice has
asked government and other concerned organisation to ensure that measures are
put in place to address violence against men and women in The Gambia
She
said the government should enhance full prosecution of cases on Sexual and
Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and institute child protection community
structures to empower communities to deal with harmful traditional practices
meted to women and children.
Mrs
Njie-Sarr also urged the government to utilize youth centers with more
information to make them more youth friendly, engage the opinions of local
structures and religious leaders to create more awareness on SGBV. “They should
also engage National Assembly Members to scrutinize budgetary allocation to
women and children and formulate measures on how to regulate and protect
children selling in the streets.
She
also observed that security should be empowered and equip with materials for
self-defense and communication, adding that transport unions must also be engaged to introduce proper
transport service.
The gender activist further urged the Basic
and Secondary Education minister to include sexual and gender based violence
education in school curriculum.
“The
government should also enhance mechanisms of reporting and sharing information
to the public which can assist in raising public awareness and encourage
dialogue on child labor. It could also help in protecting children against ill
vices such as rape and kidnapping,” she said.
Didier
Gbery, head of program at International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ),
said they are committed to give technical support to improved women security in
the country, by working with other local women to expand the channel.
Yadicon
Njie Eribo, TRRC women’s affairs unit coordination said both men and women
experience gender base violence and it can happen in different forms, urging
people not to remain mute about gender based violence, including child marriage
and female genital mutilation.
Civil Society Gender Platform on Transitional
Justice was formed in 2017 with the support of UNDP and ICTJ, during the
transitional period in The Gambia.