By Omar Bah
NGBV, a network that seeks to promote closer and strategic partnerships for joint programming, implementation and resource mobilization, recently concluded three-day training for its members on human rights-based approaches, HRBA.
The training, which was held at the Action Aid Conference Hall was organised by the Network of Gender-Based Violence in partnership with AAITG through the APLIFY Change project.
Participants were trained on the principles and basic human rights concepts as well as the avenues for redress, the shift in development approaches among other relevant human rights issues.
Speaking at the training, the national coordinator NGBV Haddy Mboge Barrow, said the training is part of series of activities they are implementing, “as you know better that the network against gender based violence is committed to eradicate any form of gender based violence in the country.”
She said the network has been generating data on gender-based violence over the years, “but you will be interested to know that the data on sexual violence since 2015 is on the increase.
“This is why the training is very important as you will all agree with me that our work centred on rights and when we talk about human rights, you cannot leave the women behind,” she said.
The AAITG women’s rights specialist Fanta Jatta Sowe said most of the activities that are done within the partnership are based on evidence, “first we have acquired the funds from the APLIFY Change a consortium that provides funds to mainly civil society organisations to address issues that affect women.
“A year back we were able to mobilise 347 thousand Euros to conduct this project in partnership with NGBV. When we talk about the NGBV, we are talking about the members, so that’s how we secure the funding,” she said.
She said part of the project is to build the capacity of its members.
“It is against this backdrop that a capacity assessment was done within NGBV member institution to conduct training on the basic of human rights based approaches, especially at this stage of our country’s democracy.
“We believe it is critical that citizens have good knowledge on the issues of human rights and other relevant issues. Having said that I would like to assure you of AAITG’s continued support,” she concluded.
Meanwhile the deputy permanent secretary, office of the vice president and women’s affairs, Bintou Gassama said the training is very important “in the sense that human rights standard are very crucial.”
She said given the fact that government has rectified many human rights instruments “is a clear indication that they are committed in ensuring issues of human rights are given attention that they deserve.”
DPS Gassama further called on the participants to make good use of the training by disseminating the information they gathered.
