As International Women’s Day is commemorated today 8th March across the globe, the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG), has revealed that there is evidence to show that violence against women and girls still happens in The Gambia, despite the government’s commitment through ratification of international and regional human rights instruments and enactment of national legislation.
In a statement issued to mark the day, FLAG said the theme for this year’s commemoration is timely with its mandate of eliminating and preventing violence against women and girls.
The Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia noted that considering the current challenges and issues that women face in the country, FLAG’s theme: ‘Gaining Momentum and Building Partnership in the fight against Domestic and Sexual Violence’ places particular attention this year on the enactment of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Bills.
According to FLAG, the fact that The Gambia has more than half of the population as women and girls, one would presuppose that women and girls have their rights protected, especially from violence.
Below we reproduce the full text of FLAG’s statement:
‘Gaining Momentum and Building Partnership in the fight against Domestic and Sexual Violence’
Each year, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. This is a day to recognize, honour and celebrate the achievements of women, highlight key issues facing them in their daily lives in both private and public spheres, and identify durable solutions to these challenges.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.’ This is timely with FLAG’s mandate of eliminating and preventing violence against women and girls. We do this through public sensitisation, advocacy and lobbying for gender sensitive laws, as well as provision of legal services including legal representation through our Legal Aid Clinic for women and girls who cannot afford it.
‘Gaining Momentum and Building Partnership in the fight against Domestic and Sexual Violence’ is the 2013 theme of FLAG. Considering the current challenges and issues that women face in The Gambia, FLAG’s theme places particular attention this year on the enactment of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Bills. The fact that The Gambia has more than half of the population as women and girls, one would presuppose that women and girls have their rights protected, especially from violence. There is evidence to show that violence against women and girls still happens in The Gambia, despite the Government’s commitment through ratification of international and regional human rights instruments and enactment of national legislation.
Two different studies, a ‘Study on Gender Based Violence in The Gambia (2010)’ and a ‘Desk Review of the National Laws, International Conventions, Treaties and Best Practices, relating to Gender Based Violence (GBV) 2011 which was supported by UNDP have shed light on the extent and nature of the phenomenon, as well as the gaps in the laws relating to the protection of women and girls from violence. Some of the greatest challenges to the attainment of the fundamental rights and freedoms of women are deeply rooted in the foundations of tradition, social, economic, juridical, political and religious structures of the society.
This year, FLAG endeavors to create and gain momentum, as well as build partnerships in our combined efforts to fight domestic and sexual violence against women and girls. We make a special promise to ensure that all women and girls’ fundamental human right to live in a violence-free society is realised. We will encourage our partners to make similar pledge. We will continue to work in enhancing access to justice for women and ending impunity through the strengthening of legislation against Domestic and Sexual Violence. As a key element of FLAG’s mandate, we place particular attention to these two phenomena that greatly affect the lives of women in The Gambia and impede their full enjoyment of rights guaranteed under the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia, Women’s Act 2010 and gender-related international and regional legal instruments.
We urge everyone to join in our efforts. Be part of the campaign to end this injustice. This year on International Women’s Day, we say, “we want and we can end domestic and sexual violence against women and girls”. We must work together with concerted efforts with the ultimate aim of “Rebuilding lives! And Protecting Women Against Violence”. The time is nigh!
