By Mariama Jallow
The Deputy Governor of West Coast Region, Mr. Musa B. Suso has emphasized the Gambia government’s commitment to the protection of women and girls from all forms of Gender-Based Violence ( GBV).
The WRC’s Number 2 was speaking on Tuesday, 7 January, 2020 at the end of a two-day outreach sensitization event meant to sensitize stakeholders, regional and local authorities on the negative effects of GBV, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Child Marriage.
Held at Governor’s Conference hall in Brikama, the event was supported by UNFPA, and organized by The Gambia Women Bureau.
He noted that the protection of women and girls call for concerted efforts of all and sundry to promote and advocate for promoting the health and wellbeing of women, as well as using dialogue to bring to an end to violence, and to promote peace and stability at family levels.
DG Suso called on stakeholders to be proactive in disseminating messages that would promote the welfare of women and girls.
The Bureau’s Assistant Director for Training, Madam Fatou Sey assured the gathering that Women Bureau and UNFPA attached great importance to promoting and protecting reproductive health of women and girls. She intimated that GBV, FGMC and Child Marriage are violations of fundamental human rights.
The Assistant Director of Training disclosed the sensitisation is meant to create better understanding of the National Women Policy 2010-2020, and various Acts for the protection and advancement of women and girls.
Sey reminded that the creation of Child Welfare Unit at The Gambia Police Force, and Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC) at grassroots levels by Department of Social Welfare aim to facilitate avenues to seek support in the promotion and protection of women and girls.
The Lady Councillor of Brikama North Constituency, Madam Jainaba Jatta, believed the sensitization would help to strengthen public understanding and awareness on GBV, child marriage and FGMC through dialogue. She called on women to embrace peace building initiatives so as to attain women and child development.
