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The Gambia has announced plans to launch a national “NO MORE” campaign against domestic and sexual violence.
Fatou Kinteh, The Gambia’s Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, joined the Commonwealth Secretary General in Banjul when she made her commitment on Human Rights Day.
When it launches next year, the ‘Gambia Says NO MORE’ campaign will aim to tackle domestic and sexual violence, while creating long-term prevention measures to eliminate abuse.
The Gambia national chapter will be part of the global “Commonwealth Says NO MORE” movement and support national efforts to achieve the sustainable development goal for gender equality.
Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, who is currently in The Gambia on an official visit, said:
“With the pandemic causing an alarming increase in cases of domestic and sexual violence, the announcement signifies the strong commitment of The Gambia to end this scourge.
“Abuse, too often, is concealed and considered a private matter, trapping victims in shame and persuading bystanders to turn a blind eye.
“Therefore, it is critical to put the focus on this hidden pandemic to send a clear message to victims that help is available, while at the same time engaging everyone in society to play their role in addressing domestic violence and violence. sexual”.
He said the campaign would be of vital importance to all Gambians, particularly more than 60 percent of citizens under the age of 30.
The Secretary General continued: “We need to make sure that your future is not like our past. Together with Minister Kinteh, we say NO MORE violence because if we don’t have peace in our homes, we will never have peace in the world ”.
In The Gambia, around one in three women experiences sexual or physical violence in her lifetime, similar to the global prevalence rate. In large part, abuse remains unreported due to impunity, silence, stigma and fear.
Minister Kinteh said: “Ending gender violence is everyone’s business. The Gambia is a patriarchal society. We want to ensure that every effort is being made to sensitize all citizens about the human rights of women.
“The Gambia joins the Commonwealth in saying NO MORE to gender-based violence. Early next year, we will bring together partners and communities to launch the ‘Gambia Says NO MORE’ campaign. ”
Addressing Gambian women through the media, she said: “You must no longer suffer in silence. You can get help. Express your complaint and seek support, respectfully and confidentially. ”
The Minister highlighted that her government has embarked on a series of initiatives to protect women and girls, including a new Law on Domestic Violence, a national helpline and gender-sensitive support services.
Pamela Zaballa, Global Executive Director of NO MORE, said: “The NO MORE Foundation is pleased to support the development of ‘The Gambia Says NO MORE’ and to be part of its commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
“We are confident that the association supported by the Secretary General and Minister Fatou Kinteh will become a strong and resilient chapter.
“We look forward to working in partnership and ending violence against women and girls in The Gambia.”
In the future, the Secretariat and the NO MÁS Foundation will work together with the Ministry to develop and carry out the campaign.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. Our combined population is 2.4 billion, of which more than 60% are 29 years old or younger.
The Commonwealth spans the entire world and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of our members are small states, many of which are island nations.
The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance, and promote justice and human rights. Our work helps grow economies and boost trade, build national resilience, empower youth, and address threats like climate change, debt, and inequality.
The member countries are supported by a network of more than 80 intergovernmental, civil society, cultural and professional organizations.
