2014-2017 registered 1,576 reported cases of gender base violence

By Pa Modou Cham

The national coordinator of Network Against Gender Base Violence (NGBV) Haddy Mboge Barrow revealed that from 2014 to 2017, they registered 1,576 reported cases of gender base violence, 674 (41%) of which are sexual violence cases, mainly sexual violence committed against children.

These were revealed at a press conference pertaining to their 16 days campaign on gender base violence, over the weekend held at the child fund conference hall.

NGBV and its partners committed and will join the rest of the world during the 16 days of activism and beyond to: amplify the voices of diverse women’s group, civil society organisations and partners who are working to prevent and end violence and discrimination against women and girls in The Gambia; advocate for changes in policies and the enforcement of laws to promote gender quality and equity and end sexual violence across the country; call for government to commit funds for the domestic violence support fund established by section 9 of the domestic violence Act 2013 and the fund for victims of trafficking established by section 58 of the trafficking in person Act 2007.

She said this year marks the 26^th year of the 16 days of Activism against GBV campaign, initiated in 1991 by the center for Women’s Global Leadership.

“The 16 days international days campaign runs from 25^th November, The international day for the eliminating of violence against women, to 10^th December, human rights day symbolizing the link between violence against women and human rights. The global theme for this year is “Orange the World: #HearMeToo” NGBV theme for the celebration is “Orange The Gambia: #HearMeToo,” she explained.

She however vows to put perpetrators practicing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and those carrying rape cases to face the law.

In responding to our reporter’s question on the issue of Dasilamin, Jokadou, whose women vows to continue FGM even if they go to jail, Madam Mboge Borrow stated that they have spooking with the authorities and those laws that govern the ban of FMG are still in existences.

Mariama Johm, the advocacy and campaign manager NGBV said violence are raise more against girls under the age below 18, she added it’s mostly cause my their own relatives. “We are sponsoring girl who was pregnant by her own father and the family abandon her.”

In responding to our reporter’s question on the latest world bank reports where Africa loses $63 million on child marriage, she said that is a sock because those girls need to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and if they are given a husband at early age, it affects.

Fallu Sowe, the project coordination expressed similar concerns, adding that they will keep raising the awareness of the community.