By Yunus S Saliu
A high-level meeting entitled, ‘’Caring Territories Against Gender-Based Violence’’ has ended in Banjul after running from the 22nd to the 24th of January 2024.
The event organized by the World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments was held at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo.
Addressing the gathering, Lord Mayor Rohey MalickLowe of Banjul and President of Refela Africa expressed delight to be part of the event saying “an event that will go down in the history of the local government of our motherland, The Gambia.”
The event, she stated, was an international training on violence against women, scheduled from the 22nd to the 24th of January 2024.
Mayor Lowe informed that eradicating all forms of violence against women is at the heart of the implementation of sustainable development goals.
Noting, “to fight is to achieve gender equality, and empower all women and girls and targets of the goal is to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls. This is a call to action to end all forms of gender-based violence, particularly violence against women everywhere.”
As they do not want to be left behind, she said, “Therefore we’re involved to contribute to building the Africa we want,” while emphasising that the gathering represented all the local governments in Africa and the added value of the event is the presence of the Secretary General of the World Secretariat.
Once again, she welcomed the guests to the event and appreciated all those who have contributed to the organization and hosting of the event together with those who had taken their time to attend the event in The Gambia, saying “We are most grateful and this means a lot to us.”
She encouraged all participating colleagues to feel at home as the Gambia is home to everyone, noting that “It is important to mention that the Gambia is one of the first African countries to grant free entry to Africans into the country. Therefore, I am correct to say that you don’t even need to be in a hurry to go back home.”
In addition to the Gambia’s hospitality, she said the Gambia offers exceptional opportunities for investment, and conferencing.
Once again, she thanked the government of the Gambia-led by President Adma Barrow and also thanked the Refela members and lots of people who had made the event be.
Emilia Saiz, Secretary General of the World Organization of United Cities and Local Government noted that justice and equality are not something that you get, is suffering that is needed to face and challenge some of the cultural patterns and norms.
“This is an agenda of dignity, it is an agenda of justice, and it is an agenda of equality and dignity, justice and equality are not something that you get is something that you construct is something that you decide, is something that you conquer, you will I am certain that is going to transform the world,” she assured.
In observation, she said the event, held in The Gambia, is something that can serve as a great example.
The secretary-general highlighted different expected transformations and developments and said they want to make the connection between government that is closest to the people.
“The national government and the international community, we want to demonstrate that the capacity of local and regional governments to deliver services needs to be a strength we need a different investment. We need more capacity. We need more people getting involved in public service. We need more investment, human and financial. And that is not something that any single actor, any single sphere of government, or any single country can do. It is a collective effort. It is a network of international community as well and this is why I am so happy that you are joining us here today,” she expressed delight.
To eradicate violence, “we need to change our institutions. We need to change the patterns in which our institutions work. We need to change frameworks we need to ensure the choice of women,” she added.
Delivering a keynote address, Honorable BaboucarrBouy, Minister of Public Service said the main objective is to exchange experiences between stakeholders on policies and programs to combat violence against women.
He emphasized the crucial role of local and regional governments in combating violence against women. Minister Bouy who had spoken extensively on the topic – Caring Territories Against Gender-Based Violence thanked all the agencies that have been supporting the Gambia in an extension the international agencies while he singled out Refela and the French Cooperation for supporting the Gambia government and all institutions that stand in fighting against gender-based violence against women.
The event brought together Ministers, Secretary-General and members of the United Cities and Local Government Secretariat, Female Mayors from all the regions of Africa, Deputy Speaker and members of the Gambia National Assembly, members of the Diplomat Corps and the UN System in the Gambia, president of the Gambia Local Government Authorities, other Mayors and deputies from the Gambia and council chairpersons among other high dignitaries.
