By: Fatou Dahaba
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the second day of the four-day caravan against gender-based violence (GBV) was held as part of the 16 Days of Activism. This caravan has become a powerful platform for addressing the critical issues surrounding GBV in the Central River Region (CRR) North. Its message profoundly resonates with the lived experiences of individuals in these communities, shedding light on their struggles.
As the caravan travels from village to village, it raises awareness among community members by holding gatherings and engaging in individual conversations about the dangers of gender-based violence (GBV). This initiative also provides a safe space for individuals to share their personal stories, addressing critical issues such as early marriage, rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), and child harassment—challenges that profoundly impact families and communities.
Nyaling Touray from Wassu Sinchu Jenung emphasized the importance of education in addressing various challenges. She explained, “When children are in school, they are less likely to be forced into early marriages. In the past, girls did not attend school, but now that they are going to school, we cannot force them to get married.”
Touray’s statement highlights the connection between education and the empowerment of young people, demonstrating how knowledge can help break the cycle of harmful practices.
The caravan also shines a light on the societal pressures that contribute to gender-based violence (GBV). Muhammad Sowe, also from Wassu, provided insights into many families’ financial struggles, which can lead to tough decisions regarding their daughters’ futures. He expressed, “It’s about survival; families fear the stigma associated with having unmarried daughters.”
This perspective underscores the complex relationship between poverty and cultural expectations, emphasizing the need for economic support to address such challenges.
During a community engagement event in Nyanga Bantang, Isatou A. Jallow expressed her concerns about the lack of opportunities for young people, especially girls. She stated, “Many educated young people struggle to find jobs, which leads to frustration and the pressure to marry early. Education should create opportunities, not add pressure.”
Jallow also highlighted the societal stigma against girls who finish school but remain unemployed and unmarried. She called for more economic and skills empowerment initiatives to provide viable career paths for youth, especially girls in rural areas.
Another Nyanga Bantang resident, Sering Kebbeh, discussed the alarming consequences of early pregnancies and child marriages. “Many young mothers are ill-prepared for parenthood, and many parents give out their daughters because of poverty. If you have six daughters and cannot feed all of them, the best thing to do is to give them out for marriage so their responsibilities are no longer yours,” he explained.
Kebbeh emphasized the importance of investing in young people’s futures, stressing the need for economic empowerment and education to break the cycle of poverty and dependence.
The villagers in the caravan have expressed a strong need for urgent action from both government and non-governmental organizations to address the root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) and early marriage. By prioritizing education, skills development, and economic growth, we can create a brighter future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
As the caravan progresses, it serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging communities to come together in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). It promotes a vision of a society where everyone can live free from fear, discrimination, and harmful practices. This reinforces the call to action for a safer and more equitable future for all.
