Funded by the Freedom House, the move seeks to develop a manual and provide training to major stakeholders in the struggle against SGBV, equipping them with best practices in the handling of victims and prosecuting of perpetrators.
WILL, a force in gender justice, is committed to empowering Gambian women and girls, tackling violence and safeguarding their sexual and reproductive health. Working in tandem with government bodies, professionals, civil society, NGOs and businesses, WILL robustly confronts the harsh realities faced by women and girls in The Gambia.
Despite legislative strides in recent years, the challenges by women and girls in The Gambia persist and SGBV issues continue to cause tragedies of epic proportions, prompting WILL to adopt evidence-based solutions deeply rooted in communities.
The advocacy group prides itself in a super-flexible, responsive approach that is tailored to the specific needs of women and girls, with a focus on four key goals: empowerment, social change, sustainable systems improvement and increased participation of women in politics and leadership.
WILL's multifaceted approach includes advocacy, awareness raising, capacity building, and psycho-social support to create a comprehensive strategy against SGBV.
On the other front, IHRDA, founded by human rights lawyers Julia Harrington and the late Alpha Fall, has a rich history of defending human rights across Africa since its establishment in 1998. With a mission to strengthen human rights protection and promotion, IHRDA offers pro bono legal counsel, conducts capacity-building initiatives and disseminates information on the African human rights system.
Receiving accolades such as the Human Rights Award from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in 2012, the international human rights body envisions an Africa where fundamental human rights and access to justice are guaranteed for all.
Hence, many believe that the alliance between IHRDA and WILL signifies a united front against SGBV in The Gambia. And either perpetual or ephemeral, it underlines the importance of collective efforts in creating a safer and more just society for women and girls. This prompted their meeting at the IHRDA main office in Brusubi on Thursday, 11 January to discuss the initiative.
As both entities bring their unique strengths to the table, this initiative stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that through collaboration and targeted action, progressive change that drives social justice is not only possible but inevitable.
