As
part of celebrations of International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women, officials of the Network of Gender Based Violence (NGBV), in
partnership with United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), Sunday briefed the
media on the 16 Days international campaign against Gender Based Violence that
was initiated in 1991 by the Center for Women Global Leadership.
The
press briefing was held at Action-Aid Head Office in Kanifing, where NGBV
national coordinator Fallu Sowe, said this year marks the 27th year of the 16
Days of Activism against GBV, which runs from 25th November to 10 December,
adding that human rights day symbolizes the link between violence against women
and human rights.
“The
global theme for this year is ‘End Gender-Based Violence in the world of work’,
and the aim of our campaign is to harmonize our efforts to end all forms of
sexual and gender based violence in The Gambia,” he said.
He
said the theme reflects the core principle of the transformative 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development Goal and reinforces the UN Women Campaign
commitment to a world free from violence for all women and girls.
According
Mr Sowe, Gender Based Violence is a grave human rights violation and because it
inequitably affects women and girls, it is otherwise referred to as violence
against women and girls.
“It
comes physical, sexual, psychological and emotional forms, all of which have
serious consequences ranging from immediate to long-term effects.”
He
reminded the government and people that Gambia is a signatory to many
international and regional Treaties and Conventions which protect women and
children from all forms of violence. He said the Treaties include the
Conventions for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), Convention on the rights of the Child and the Maputo Protocol.
