The Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs, in collaboration with UN Women and the Government of Iceland, has launched its district-level engagement for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The event, held in Moyamba District, brought together community members, government officials, and partners to address the persistent issue of GBV against women and girls.
The program was chaired by Daniel Vandy, a district field officer from the Rainbo Initiative, who welcomed guests, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs, Mrs. Aminata Sannoh; Deputy Secretary Andrew Kamara; Deputy Superintendent of Police Richard Yambasu; UN Women Senior Policy Advisor Usu Mallya; and representatives from Sabula Women’s Group, Forut, and other organizations.
Campaign Objectives and Achievements
Deputy Secretary Andrew Kamara outlined the objectives of the 16 Days campaign, emphasizing the importance of collective action to tackle GBV at all levels. He stressed that GBV affects both men and women and called for increased community involvement to combat its prevalence. "We are here to listen, share insights, and work together to end gender-based violence," Kamara noted.
Hannah Robinson, Assistant Director of Gender, highlighted key achievements in the fight against GBV, including the launch of the Hands Off Our Girls campaign in 2018, the Male Involvement Strategy, and the GEWE Act of 2022. She also discussed the National Referral Pathway for GBV, a framework designed to improve response mechanisms. "Despite these efforts, statistics show that 60.7% of women and girls aged 15-45 have experienced physical violence. This is unacceptable and must be addressed collectively," Robinson stated.
She further urged parents to protect their daughters from early marriage and called for increased respect and empowerment of women, especially in rural communities like Moyamba.
Community Contributions
Deputy Superintendent Richard Yambasu highlighted the police's role in addressing GBV cases, underscoring the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and community members. Samuel S. Sesay, a civil society advocate, called for enhanced data collection on GBV survivors, stronger advocacy efforts, and coordinated action among stakeholders, including media houses and local leaders.
Keynote Address
Delivering the keynote address, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Aminata Sannoh urged men and boys in Moyamba to take active roles in the fight against GBV through the "Real Man Campaign," which promotes positive male involvement. "Real men respect women and girls and stand against violence. We must unite to ensure a safer society for everyone," she said.
Sannoh also highlighted the psychological and social impacts of GBV, including trauma, discrimination, and limited opportunities for survivors. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to policies like the National GBV Strategy and Beijing+30 framework, thanking partners such as UN Women and Rainbo Initiative for their continued support.
Participant Feedback
The event concluded with an open discussion where attendees shared concerns and recommendations. Saibatu Sesay, President of the Children's Forum Network (CFN) in Moyamba, highlighted the challenges faced by young girls, including early marriage and harassment by commercial bike riders. She urged the Ministry to strengthen referral pathways and provide counseling for parents who engage in harmful practices.
The program was hailed as a successful platform for raising awareness and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to combat GBV.
Kelvin Mark Kargbo
SLENA Correspondentp
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