By: Mariama Njie
The Ministry of women, Children and Social Welfare in partnership with Paradise Foundation and UN Population Fund has launched a helpline (1313) that seeks to fight against gender-based violence.
Speaking at the launching, Minister Fatou Kinteh reiterated her Ministry’s commitment in eradicating harmful practices that hold women and girls back and impede on their growth.
“The enactment of legislation prohibiting child marriage, FGM and other gender-based violence are highest on our priorities and today we launched the national GBV helpline a solid tool that will help government and its stakeholders in its effort to combat GBV and support survivors,” she said.
She described the launching of the new helpline as one of the coordinated initiatives to protect women and girls from all forms of violence.
She added that “The significant of the Helpline cannot be over emphasis, it will serve as an emergency line that victims can use to report their concern. The helpline is an essential service not only because it gives voice to the survivors and victims’ but it will provide them with psychological support and access to safety and justice.”
Aisha Baldeh of Paradise Foundation said “The helpline means lot us as women, mothers and sisters because we realize that gender based violence affects us all in one way or the other, so as a result of that we came together and set up an initiative called ‘Tahaw Jigeen’ meaning standing up for women.”
The Gender Based Violence Helpline is a timely structure that will help us to enhance the services of women and girls affected, she added.
UNFPA Country Representative Kunle Adeniyi said “Against my Will: defying the practices that harm women and girls and undermine equality shows the prevalence, roots and drivers of son preference, child marriage and female genital mutilation.