Gambians activists yesterday angrily hold a peaceful procession to expressed solidarity to former beauty queen, Fatou Jallow, who alleged she was raped by former President Yahya Jammeh.
Fatou Jallow, knowns as Toufah revealed recently during an interview with New York Times, which she claimed that former president Jammeh raped her.
The issues of violence against women especially rape came to the light following government’s statement that drawn the attention of allegations of sexual assault made by a number of women, including rape, committed against them by Mr Melville Robertson Roberts, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Gambian campaigners launched the movement #IAmToufah to demand for justice against the alleged sexual vices.
The protesters chanted slogans and carried signs one of which read ‘No Means No’ as they marched from Africell to Westfield on Thursday.
Speaking to journalists during the protest Jallow said: “I am glad Gambian women have embraced it (campaign against sexual violence)… This is a step further to make women feel comfortable to talk about their experiences of sexual harassment.”
Madi Jobarteh, a human right activist said: “For Toufah to come out, that is so significant and that is what has led to this march because we feel these women need support.”
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, lecturer at University of The Gambia said: “We have to accept that there is a problem in our society, and then we can be able to raise awareness and come up with the proper solutions.”
According to him, the march is to raise awareness on the issue of sexual violence in the country.
Fatoumatta Njie, national assembly member for Banjul South said: “We just want to show our support, show our utter disgust, show that we condemn rape, [and] show that we will stand against it.”
