By Maimuna Sey-Jawo
A total of 25 security officers drawn from the gender offices of the Gambia Armed Forces have recently completed two-day sensitization training on Gender-Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among other related issues.
The two-day convergence organized by the Network against Gender Based Violence (NGBV) was held at the Yundum Army Barracks funded by Amplify Change through Action Aid International The Gambia.
Officials said the forum is aimed at creating awareness for the participants with a view to improving their understanding on GBV related issues.
The acting coordinator of NGBV Mr. Fallu Sowe spoke at length on the significance of the two days training.
Mr. Sowe recalled that NGBV is a membership based organization that comprises relevant civil society organizations, line ministries and institutions working in the promoting and protection of the right of women and children in The Gambia.
The acting coordinator of NGBV added that the network has a two tier governance system that comprises the General Assembly as the highest decision making body and the executive committee which is responsible for governance issues.
For his part, Ousman Badgie, the Executive Director of Action Aid International The Gambia dwelled on the importance of gender based violence and FGMC, saying that FGM is a deep-rooted cultural traditional practice.
FGM, he added, can be reduced through awareness and interaction, noting that it is because of gender based violence practices men are not enjoying from the wisdom of women.
Badgie described the training as a step in the right direction and as well as timely, thus urging the participants to participate well and ask questions to clear their doubts on gender based violence and FGM.
For her part, Madam Marie A. Corr, General Secretary at the Gambia Teachers Union, said different sectors of the society must work together to ensure gender base violence is taking into consideration.
Madam Corr assured Gambia Teachers Union’s continuous partnership to work with the network with a view to end violence against women and girls in this country.
Speaking at the forum, Ramatoulie Sanneh of the GAF thanked NGBV for organizing the two days training. She challenged the participants to live up to expectation and to disseminate the information to their colleagues.
