By Fatou Dahaba
The Network Against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV) has engaged the community of Chamen in the Nianija District, Central River Region North, as part of their intensified sensitization campaign for the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
The campaign themed “From Awareness to Action! Uniting Communities to End Gender-Based Violence” calls on everyone to move beyond mere acknowledgment of GBV and take tangible, immediate steps to combat it.
NGBV organized a football match for the youth of Chamen to use sports as a platform for spreading awareness about ending violence in communities.
After the football game ended in a draw, both teams were awarded a cash prize of D2,000 each, and two footballs were donated to the village sports committee.
Speaking at the event, Isatou Bah from Women in Liberation and Leadership underscored the profound effects of GBV, saying, “Whether it is domestic violence, sexual assault, child marriage, or female genital mutilation, it affects people in ways that are not always visible but are profoundly destructive.”
Bah advised parents to avoid forcing their children into child marriages, which hinder their growth and development. She also encouraged them to support their daughters’ education. She cited that rising GBV cases reported through toll-free numbers urged parents to report such cases and avoid the ‘masala’ syndrome, noting that “victims live with everlasting trauma.”
Inspector Lamin Kebbeh of the Gender and Child Welfare Unit of the Gambia Police Force reiterated the importance of respecting laws and reporting all GBV cases to the police.
“Often, cases are reported to our office, which is why we have joined the caravan team to speak to people, particularly parents, on the issue surrounding GBV,” he said.
According to Inspector Kebbeh, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) may be seen as a cultural tradition, but it is a crime under the Gambian law.
“FGM is a culture, but it is a crime in the Gambia and punishable by law. I urge community members to avoid such practices and respect the law,” he added.
Ebrima Njie, Chairman of the Chamen Village Development Committee (VDC), expressed gratitude to NGBV for choosing Chamen for their campaign. He assured that the community would respect the laws of the land, stating, “My community will respect the laws of the land.”
The engagement concluded with a question-and-answer session between organizers and community members on issues related to child marriage, rape, FGM, sexual and gender-based violence.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence spans from November 25 to December 10 each year.
The campaign provides an opportunity to renew commitments, demand accountability, and advocate for tangible actions to eliminate GBV.
