Pro Hope
International (PHIN) The Gambia, works with grassroots communities to address
the issue of gender based violence by influencing change in attitudinal
behaviors that perpetuate violence against females. In their quest for gender
equity, PHIN recently organised a one-day National symposium at the Joint
Officers Mess at Kotu, recently. This was done during the 16 days of activism
against gender - based violence between November 25th and December 10th - a
period devoted to creating intense awareness of the connections between women,
violence and human rights. The National symposium aims to bring together policy
makers, corporate players and activists to critically appraise women's human
rights in The Gambia. The main theme of the National symposium is 'securing
human rights for women in The Gambia - progress, prospects and challenges'
while the sub - theme was removing the obstacles against ending violence
against women - whose responsibility?
The goal of this event was to stimulate a national discussion on gender based violence and to instigate positive actions towards ending violence against women.
Around the world according to the United Nations, at least one out of three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. In her speech, the executive secretary of PHIN Mam Kumba Ndow Ceesay said "We need to make a difference; we need to make a decision to put our palms and hands down, like I always say, step into the shoes of these abused women; just for a moment, feel their hurt, their fears, their emotions, their bruises and wounds and insecurity. Then tell the next person how you feel."
Mr. Momodou Nyang, the Deputy Permanent Secretary office of the Vice President, said that it was their hope and earnest desire that the results of PHIN deliberations at the national symposium on that issue would translate into proper and effective management and subsequent eradication on that onslaught on the feminine gender and the whole community.
