BY: Mariama Njie
Dr. Isatou Touray, vice President of The Gambia, has stressed that there is a need to set examples in order to deter people from violating the rights of women and girls in the country.
Speaking at commemoration of 16 days Activism against Gender Based Violence, at the Youth Monument on December 10, she called on victims to help the police and the prosecutors by reporting the cases and allow the laws to take its course.
According to her, many cases of attacks women and girls in the country go unreported and continue to be shrouded in the culture of silent, giving perpetrators the opportunity to continue offending women and girls.
“If efforts are put together the society will indeed be safe for women and girls to live freely without being raped. with this year’s theme ‘Orange the world: Generation Equality Stands against Rape, the commemoration of the 16 days activism calls for action to eliminates all forms of violence against women and girls through awareness”, she stressed.
Dr. Touray explained that, The Gambia’s commitment to end violence against women and girls are evident by ratification of a number of important instruments with provision concerning violence against girls.
She also said that, the significant strides made by the government of The Gambia to respond to gender based violence remains one of the most flagrant violations of human rights and impediments to equality between men and women.
According to her, The Gambia has enacted key legislation that reduces barriers to women attainment and developed policies to protect women and girls from all forms of violence.
“President Adama Barrow is a champion of women’s issues, he knows this, he belief in it and act on it because women are winners”, she said.
VP Touray encourages victims to share their views and experiences to work through structures available especially the gender machinery put in place by the government of The Gambia.
