In their unwavering pursuit of a world free from discrimination and harm, these activists underscore the transformative potential of education to challenge societal norms, cultivate empathy, and ultimately serve as a formidable force against the pervasive issue of GBV.
In an interview with The Point, Fatoumatta Sanneh, a gender activists, stated that gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious issue in The Gambia and that it encompasses various forms such as domestic violence, sexual assault and harmful traditional practices.
"It's disheartening to see the impact it has on individuals and communities” she said. “To address GBV, I believe a multi-faceted approach is necessary. It starts with raising awareness about the issue to foster a culture of respect and equality. Education plays a crucial role in challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting healthy relationships."
Ms Sanneh however suggests that, ‘it's vital to engage men and boys as allies in the fight, promoting positive masculinity and addressing harmful behaviours, community involvement through partnerships initiatives with NGOs can play a significant role in prevention and support.’
Lawkadinch S. Gomez, an SDG champion and youth activist, emphasises that gender-based violence is still being fought everywhere, adding that The Gambia has seen a rise in complexities of GBV cases since the Covid-19 era, which has affected the growth of children and young people in the country.
Ms Gomez stated that in as much as the youth make up more than 60% of the population, a lot of atrocities are also committed by people beyond the youthful age bracket.
"More violence has been committed towards women and girls as compared to men,” she says. “This is why campaigns and advocacy groups focus 75% or more of their work on women and girls. It is a national concern to address not just with policies but with strict enforcement measures."
She further indicates that laws on the protection of women and children in The Gambia should be revised to suit the current state of the country and the world at large. “Issues like cyberbully are not reflected in these acts and laws, even though more women and children continue to face such issues in the country,” she said.
An anonymous source also states that the concept of women being inferior to men is a key factor in enabling abusers, adding that women should be seen at all times as human, with rights and dignity.
“This should be filtered down to the grassroots to ensure a change in the mindset of the people from the earliest stages,” she reasons, saying: “It is important to note that GBV has different forms and all are quite evident in The Gambia.”
She contends that people frown more on the physical GBV but ignore the other forms that equally dehumanise people, especially women and children, to change their mindset to respect and understand human rights, women’s rights and children’s rights.
“It is important to ensure teachers at all levels understand these first,” she says, adding that the police and law enforcement officers should also understand the law and the consequences of GBV.”
