Established in April 2009 the network draws its membership from civil society organizations and government institutions in The Gambia who share the common goal of combating gender-based violence.
Participants deliberated on salient issues of the AGM, after a thorough review of the activity report and audited financial report for the year 2012.
In his welcoming remarks, the chairman of the network, Njundu Drammeh, said the meeting was one of the constitutional requirements of the Article 16 of the network which states that every year the network should organize an AGM.
The forum, he said, seeks to discuss and reach important decisions on the governance of the network, exchange ideas on strategies to effectively combat gender-based violence, share achievements and challenges and initiate new strategies for effective collaboration and partnership in the fight against gender-based violence.
Mr Drammeh further stated that the AGM is a fulfillment of the network’s mandate, which also calls for unification in the fight against gender-based violence and together more resources can be gathered to advocate for the right of the women against violence.
He further outlined the network’s commitment to the fighting against gender-based violence, noting that the aim of the network is to see that The Gambia is free from gender-based violence.
He also seized the opportunity to thank all the stakeholders for their collective effort, particularly Mr Babuccar Ngum who have made tremendous effort in ensuring that the network reaches where it is today.
For her part, Haddy Mboge-Barrow, coordinator of the network, said one of the successes of the network against gender-based violence was the transformation of the body into a registered community-based organization.
According to her, the objectives of the network are to raise awareness on national and international legal framework and policies and reduce gender-based violence in homes, communities and schools in The Gambia.
She said it is also part one of their target to advocate for the creation and implementation of gender-friendly laws and policies, engage and transform cultural structures, institutions and for leaders to become gender sensitive, as well as mainstream gender issues in national and sectoral policies.
She further expressed appreciation to the effort of the members and thanked them for their continued support and guidance for the commitment towards the success of the network.
She also used the opportunity to commend Action-Aid The Gambia for providing the financial support for the network.
In her closing remarks, director of Health Services, Dr Adama Demba, expressed appreciation on behalf of the network and thanked the coordinator for her tireless effort at ensuring the AGM was successful.
Taking an association forward requires commitment, devotion, and sacrifices, which the network members have demonstrated in ensuring they advocate for the right of the women against all forms of abuses, she stressed.
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