By: Haruna Kuyateh
Action Aid International The Gambia (AAITG) in collaboration with Gender Action Group trained ECO ZONEs women group on gender based violence, promotion of women health and economic wellbeing of women, held recently at Juffureh North Bank Region.
Organized by local Rights Program Area 9 of Juffureh, the training is meant to intensifying efforts of building and working with structures at Eco Zone levels in advancing the protection of women and girls in combating all forms of violence against women and girls in society.
Organizer described the training as capacity development of women leaders at Eco Zones level will help to provide platform were issues of gender based violence (GBV) can be discussed and appropriate actions can be taken on time to end the practise.
The objective and formation of the Gender Action Group at Eco Zone levels is to strengthen responsive reporting of cases of violence and creates space for dialogue in promoting women welfare.
Foday Kanyi Action Aid International the Gambia Program Specialist Resilience, Livelihoods and Climate Justice, emphasized the need for all stakeholders to support the fight against Gender Based Violence to promote the health and economic wellbeing of women.
He noted that cases of gender based violence is widely spread need concerted efforts is needed to ensure public awareness and advocacy program to say zero tolerance on the practise.
He urged Eco Zones to be proactive and ensure all inclusive participation of reporting cases of violence to local and regional authorities for appropriate action.
Falu Njie, National Coordinator of Network Against Gender Based Violence NAGBV and lead trainer commended the efforts of Action Aid International the Gambia for attaching great important on protecting women and girls against all forms of physical, economic and psychological violence in respecting and restoring human dignity.
He condemned alarming rate of sexual violence in the country and calls on stakeholders to be vigilant and proactive in promoting zero tolerance to gender based violence.
According to him, building the knowledge based of women on various forms of abuse committed by perpetrators, would contribute in empowering the Gender Action Groups to help prevent early and forced marriage, FGM, economic and physical violence.
He pointed out that despite law banning FGM, the practise is existed, noting that the law protecting women and girls from all forms of harmful traditional practises is here to stay.
Kerr Cherno Eco Zone comprises of 13 communities, Albreda 9 communities and Jimbana 11 communities. The following presidents of the above Eco Zones were elected and include Hoja Jammeh of Passy Mamut Jaw President of Kerr Cherno, Siga Saidy of Demba Holleh President of Jimbana and Kaddy Janneh of Toubakolong President of Albreda Eco Zones and the election was done in a participatory process.
The training was attended by 45 women leaders drawn from three ECO ZONEs of Kerr Cherno, Albreda and Jimbana in Upper Nuimi.
The elected executive members for each Eco Zones are tasked to manage the affairs and promote networking to end Gender Based Violence through dialogue.
