By: Fatoumatta krubally
Four-day caravan Against Gender-Based Violence, which was part of the 16 Days of Activism, served as a powerful platform for addressing the pressing issues of gender-based violence faced by many people in the Central River Region.
While the caravan began in CRR from 2 Dec to 3 Dec 2024, its message resonated deeply with the struggles experienced by individuals across CRR.
As the caravan travelled from village to village to sensitize people about the dangers of gender-based violence,community members came 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.
One participant Nyaling Touray 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 explained. That before girls do not attend schools but now that they’re attending, they will not be forced to get married. This statement underscores 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 that contribute to these problems. Muhammed Sowe, another participant from the same village, shed 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 stated. This perspective illustrates the complex relationship between poverty and cultural expectations, emphasizing the need for broader economic support.
The stories shared during the caravan highlight a common theme: the urgent need for skills training and economic empowerment for youth.
Isatou A. Jallow, a resident of Nyanga Bantang, pointed 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, adding that society also stigmatizes girls that have finished school, unemployed and 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 of Nyanga Bantang, discussed the alarming consequences of early pregnancies, noting that many young mothers are ill-prepared for the responsibilities of parenthood but many parents give out their daughters because of poverty.
“If you have six daughters and you cannot feed all, the best thing to do is to give them out for marriage so that theirresponsibilities will not be on you anymore,” he pointed out. Kebbeh 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.
