The Association for Women and Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE-Gambia) on Thursday presented its draft Parliamentary Protocol on Preventing Violence Against Women in Politics and Hate Speech to members of the National Assembly.
The one-day engagement for the Gender and Human Rights Committees brought together lawmakers and WAVE officials to discuss institutional safeguards for women’s political participation ahead of the 2026 Presidential and 2027 Parliamentary elections.
The WAVE delegation was led by Dr Jane Nzenwa, Gender and Women Empowerment Coordinator, Mr Saidykhan, Communications Assistant, and Oumie Kalsoum Jabang, Programme Associate Intern.
Mr Saidykhan said the 34-page draft protocol emerged from WAVE’s engagement with 585 women across the six regions, who shared experiences, concerns and recommendations on barriers to participation.
He said women cited lack of awareness, structural barriers, cyberbullying, hate speech and tribal comments as major deterrents, alongside limited support from women already in leadership.
“This idea is not ours. We rooted it from the aspirations of the people, particularly women,” Saidykhan said. The protocol seeks to establish binding rules to prevent, address and sanction violence and hate speech directed at women in politics, grounded in equality, non-discrimination and survivor-centred support.
Dr Nzenwa said the dialogue aims to connect the lived realities of grassroots women with institutional reforms to foster respect and dignity in public life.
Hon Gibbi Mballow, NAM for Lower Fulladu, who chaired the session, said funding for women’s participation is critical at a time when pluralised politics has fuelled hate speech against women in parties and electoral representation.
Hon Fatoumatta Jawara, Nominated Member, said violence against women shames democracy. Women constitute 52% of the population and the majority of voters, yet face harassment when they contest, she noted, calling for an end to the notion that women should only be caregivers.
Hon Madi Ceesay, NAM for Serekunda West and Chair of the Human Rights Committee, declared the engagement open, stressing that lawmakers need expert knowledge to sensitise the public and combat political, social and economic violence against women.
Lawmakers commended WAVE and pledged to review the protocol for final adoption.
