Vice President Dr Isatou Touray has expressed concern about rights violation against women and girls and said despite legislations promote and protect group, violation such as domestic, physical and sexual violence continue to pose a problem.
VP Touray who was speaking at the World Population Day, said: “In The Gambia, like in many developing countries, the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is more severe on women and girls. For instance, women’s personal safety has been at risk due to increased exposure to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) including FGM and Child Marriage as lockdowns and social restrictions compelled people to stay home. Despite several legislations and programmes for the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls, violation such as domestic, physical and sexual violence continue to pose a problem. “
She added: “according to 2019-2020 Gambia Demographic Health Survey, 46% of women aged 15-49 have ever experienced physical violence; 9% of women aged 15-49 have ever experienced sexual violence; 39% of married women have experienced spousal violence, whether physical, sexual, or emotional, by their current or most recent husband or partner.
“Despite the GBV helpline initiated by Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare to facilitate reporting of GBV cases in an effort to address perpetrators, the report shows that 65% of women who experienced violence never sought help or told anyone. For FGM, there is a notable fall from 75% to 73%. This fall does not induce celebration because the percentage is still staggeringly high, given the level of policy attention as well as programs implemented towards its curb.”
“Data shows that 30% of women and girls aged 20-24 were first married or are in a union before age 18. The pandemic as is the case in other countries is likely to compromise efforts that have been made over the years in ending GBV, including FGM and Child Marriage,” she added.