By Musa Saho
The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Unit of the Ministry of Justice with support from UNDP recently concluded a day-long Community Outreach and Sensitization Programme in Basse, Upper River Region.
The objective of the community outreach is to raise awareness and sensitize the public on the existing laws, cultural misconceptions, reporting of cases and the preservation of evidence in cases with suspicion of gender based violence (SGBV) offense.
Ms.Ella Dougan, the Chairperson of the SGDV unit of the Ministry of Justice said the sensitization tour was very important as it would help create awareness and provide the need to protect survivors as well as educate the population on the laws against SGDV in The Gambia.
Chairperson Dougan said that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is rampant in the Gambian society with most cases going unreported, she called for concerted effort to eradicate this unfortunate occurrence.
She concluded by urging all community members present to spread the message learned, be vigilant and report cases to have a society where men and women can live together in dignity and harmony.
In a separate engagement, The Attorney General (AG) recently briefed Development Partners on a wide range of issues related to the implementation of the Government’s White Paper, Transitional Justice Processes, and re-introduction of the draft Constitution among others at his office in Banjul.
The AG assured the Partners of the government’s full commitment to the implementation recomendation as outlined in the White paper.
On their part, partners reiterated their commitment to continue providing technical support to the Ministry’s transitional justice and post-TRRC implementation processes.
The Justice Minister concluded by expressing government’s intention to implement a robust communication strategy that will close the information gap, enhance access to information and ensure the popularization of the TRRC Report and Government White Paper to the grassroots.
