The two-day forum which was held at a local hotel in Senegambia was meant to equip law enforcement and legal professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively handle cases of sexual and gender-based violence with a view to ensuring that victims receive justice and the support they deserve.
The training, officials said is also envisaged to facilitate, enlighten and train the police officers in order to enable them to investigate SGBV crimes and supporting victims / survivors. It targets members of the GPF and the National Agency for Legal Aid (NALA). The training also centred on investigation, prosecution, and supporting victims of SGBV crime.
Amie Njie, director of finance and administration at IHRDA, spoke at length on the significance of the training in their quest in fighting sexual and gender based cases in the country.
IHRDA, she claimed, is committed to supporting institutions like the police force for proper understanding of SGBV in order to ensure accountability.
“As The Gambia is transitioning from decades of authoritarian rule to a future rooted in justice, accountability, and respect for human rights, we are working tirelessly towards healing, rebuilding, and addressing deep-rooted SGBV related issues.”
That, she suggested, is a key step towards ensuring the dignity and security of every individual, especially women and girls in our society, saying: “The TRRC has shed light on the atrocities committed, particularly the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as a tool of oppression. Now, it is our collective responsibility to act on these findings, bringing justice to victims and ensuring such violations are never repeated as stated in the TRRC slogan 'Never Again'.”
According to her, the training will improve the capacity of their trainees in investigating heinous crimes and strengthen their commitment to supporting survivors in a sensitive and victim-centered manner.
Alhagie Nyang, an advocate specialist at the Freedom House, described the training as ‘timely’ taking into account that it would further widen the participants knowledge on SGBV related issues, adding: “Our priority at Freedom House is to work with the media and civil society in order to empower them so that they could effectively execute their mandates.”
