By: Fatoumatta krubally
Tuesday 3 December 2024 marked day two of the four-day organised caravan Against Gender-Based Violence, part of the 16 Days of Activism marking Gender-Based Violence. It has become a powerful platform for addressing the pressing issues of gender-based violence faced by many people in the country, especially in the Central River Region (CRR) where the caravan began and was held from 2nd to 3rd December 2024. Its message resonates deeply with the struggles experienced by individuals across CRR.
As the caravan travels from village to village to sensitize people about the dangers of gender-based violence community members come together to share their personal stories and the harsh realities they face. Issues such as early marriage, rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), and child harassment are not just statistics; they are lived experiences that affect families and communities profoundly.
Nyaling Touray, a participant from Wassu Sinchu Jenunghighlighted the importance of education in combating these issues. “When children are in school, they are less likely to be forced into early marriages,” she expressed and continued that before girls did not attend schools but now that they’re attending they will not be forced to get married.
This statement underscored a crucial connection between education and the empowerment of young people, suggesting that knowledge can be a powerful tool in breaking the cycle of harmful practices.
However, the caravan also revealed the societal pressures contributing to these problems. Muhammed Sowe, another participant from the same village, sheds light on the financial struggles many families face, leading them to make difficult decisions regarding their daughters’ futures.
“It’s about survival; families fear the stigma of having unmarried daughters,” he shared. This perspective illustrates the complex relationship between poverty and cultural expectations, emphasizing the need for broader economic support.
The stories shared during the caravan highlighted a common theme: the urgent need for skill training and economic empowerment for youth.
Isatou A. Jallow, a resident at Nyanga Bantang, points out that many educated young people struggle to find jobs, resulting in frustration and pressure to marry early. “Education should lead to opportunities, not added pressure,” she asserted while adding that the society also stigmatized girls who have finished school without a job and are still not married advocating for systemic changes that provide viable career paths for young people in the village, especially girls.
Moreover, Sering Kebbeh, a concerned resident at Nyanga Bantang, discusses the alarming consequences of early pregnancies, noting that many young mothers are ill-prepared for the responsibilities of parenthood. More so, he said many parents give out their daughters because of poverty, with the thought that “If you have six daughters and you cannot feed them the best thing to do is to give them out for marriage so that their responsibilities will not be on you anymore.”
He stressed the role of the government in providing support and resources to empower youth, stating, “If we want to see change, we need to invest in our young people’s futures.”
Through the caravan, the collective voices of villagers emphasize the urgent need for intervention from government and non-governmental organizations to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence and early marriage. By prioritizing education and economic development, The Gambia can pave the way for a brighter future, breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
As the caravan continues its journey to other regions, it serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring communities to unite in the fight against gender-based violence and advocating for a society where every individual can live free from fear and discrimination.