Source: Daily Observer
The director of Health Services has reaffirmed that the government of The Gambia is very committed to the fight against gender-based violence in the country, while highlighting strides that have been taken to root out this social menace.

Speaking Monday while presiding over the opening ceremony of a training of trainers' seminar for medical doctors and senior nurses, organised in Kololi by the Network Against Gender Based Violence (NAGBV), Dr. Momodou Lamin Waggeh lamented the negative impact of this social menace. He informed that gender-based violence knows no geographical boundary, age or sex, saying it occurs in every culture and in all levels of society.

"The data from studies and researches indicated that the prevalence rate in The Gambia is 75.5%. Globally, at least one in every three women has been beaten, forced into sex, or otherwise abused by a man in their life time," he told the gathering.

Waggeh disclosed that gender-based violence accounts for more deaths and disability among women aged 15-44 years than the combined effects of cancer, malaria, and road traffic accidents put together.

The menace, which is a public health issue, according to Dr. Waggeh, has serious long-term consequences on women's reproductive, sexual and mental health.

"The abuse cases are seldom reported to the relevant authorities and even where the victims seek medical attention, most of the time they would not mention the abuse and violence unless asked directly and after much reluctance or hesitation because of social stigma and fear of being re-traumatised," he stated.

He then urged the doctors and nurses to make good use of the training so as to make an impact.

The head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), Dr. Patrick Idoko, disclosed that they see an average of 8 to 10 cases of alleged sexual assault at the hospital each day. He observed that gender-based violence is generally underreported and that some of the victims are as young as three years old. He noted that in most cases the perpetrator is known to the victim.

Dr. Idoko informed that a cross-sectional survey of urban secondary schools in The Gambia last year revealed that as much as 86% of girls had been victims of sexual harassment with varying degrees of the intensity of the harassment.

He also indicated that a study on pregnant women at antenatal clinic at the hospital in 2012 also revealed that 55% of the Women had experienced sexual violence from their intimate partners; 22% had experienced physical sexual violence whilst 12% had sought medical attention for abusive behaviours.

Describing the training as timely, Dr. Idoko said it will equip the participants about knowledge important in clinical management of victims and survivors of gender based-violence.

• Gambia