By Kaddy Jawo
Sexual survivors and a coalition of Gambian Civil Society activists led by Tango are planning a procession against sexual violence in the country on Thursday, July 4. The march is intended to provide support to victims as well as raise public awareness about sexual violence which is believed to be widespread and growing in Gambian society.
On Friday 28 June 2019, former July 22 Beauty Queen Fatoumatta Toufah Jallow hosted a press conference to narrate her ordeal of sexual violence meted out to her by the former president, Yahya Jammeh. Since then a barrage of women have emerged to also narrate their experiences of sexual violence meted out to them by various men.
One of these accused men is Melville Roberts, a senior government official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who has now been interdicted by the Ministry of Justice pending investigations into his alleged acts of sexual violence against women who accused him of rape.
Tango is leading a civil society support for victims to raise public awareness about sexual violence.The activists plan to stage a public gathering at the Youth Monument where they will hear stories of victims and speeches from various members of society.
The event at the Youth Monument will begin with a march along Kairaba Avenue from Africell to Westfield starting at 9am on Thursday July 4, 2019.
According to the organizers, the slogan for the protest is “Stand Up Against Sexual Violence Today to Protect Your Daughter Tomorrow.”