‘Violence Against Women Poses Serious Threat to Achieving MDGs’
FLAG president Janeh Sallah-Njie
The continues violence against women is posing a serious threat to The Gambia’s efforts to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), said Gambia’s minister for Basic and Secondary Education.
Minister Fatou Lamin Faye made this observation on Thursday at a day-long training of trainers programme for 50 Gambian teachers on women right issues, including laws that protect the rights of women in Gambia.
Held at Paradise Suites Hotel under the theme: “Ending Violence in Society with Special Focus on Women and Girls,” the programme was organised by the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG).
“One in three women is beaten, coerced into sex. And one in five women will be victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime,” said Minister Faye. “Half of women who die from homicides are killed by their current or former husbands or partners. For women age 15 to 44 years, violence is a major cause of death and disability.”
She said, violence against women does not only constitute gross violation of human rights but also has enormous social and economic and cost. It also undercuts the contribution of women to development, peace and security.
“Violence against women is the most pervasive yet least recognised human rights abuse in the world,” said Janeh Sallah-Njie, the president of FLAG.
A revered legal practitioner, Madam Sallah-Njie said, despite the enactment of the Women’s Act 2010, The Gambia’s legal system does not adequately cater for victims of abuse to seek redress.
Speaking on behalf of The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU), Marie Antoinette Corr highlighted that violence against women deprived many girls of right to education.
Minister Fatou Lamin Faye made this observation on Thursday at a day-long training of trainers programme for 50 Gambian teachers on women right issues, including laws that protect the rights of women in Gambia.
Held at Paradise Suites Hotel under the theme: “Ending Violence in Society with Special Focus on Women and Girls,” the programme was organised by the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG).
“One in three women is beaten, coerced into sex. And one in five women will be victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime,” said Minister Faye. “Half of women who die from homicides are killed by their current or former husbands or partners. For women age 15 to 44 years, violence is a major cause of death and disability.”
She said, violence against women does not only constitute gross violation of human rights but also has enormous social and economic and cost. It also undercuts the contribution of women to development, peace and security.
“Violence against women is the most pervasive yet least recognised human rights abuse in the world,” said Janeh Sallah-Njie, the president of FLAG.
A revered legal practitioner, Madam Sallah-Njie said, despite the enactment of the Women’s Act 2010, The Gambia’s legal system does not adequately cater for victims of abuse to seek redress.
Speaking on behalf of The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU), Marie Antoinette Corr highlighted that violence against women deprived many girls of right to education.
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