16 Days of Activism: Socio-Cultural Norms Contribute to Intimate Partner Violence in Gambia
Tobaski Njie-SarrShe made these comments during an interview on Friday, November 29, 2024, held at TANGO, the hub for civil society organisations and NGOs.
As the world observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, 2024, it marked the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence under the theme “Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. United to end violence against women.”
Sarr noted, “Intimate partner violence can be linked to our socio-cultural norms and values, as the violence we see is not limited to man-to-woman scenarios; it also occurs woman-to-woman, woman-to-man, and parent-to-child.”
She emphasised that violence affects all societies and individuals.
She explained that research has shown that several factors contributing to violence against women are rooted in socio-cultural norms and values, which suggest that those in power may feel they can use violence. Additionally, violence is often seen as a means of punishment intended to correct behaviour. In the context of The Gambia, she noted that if a domestic dispute arises between a husband and wife and is reported to the police, it is typically resolved through dialogue, with the issue framed as a domestic matter.
She emphasised that if the mechanisms put in place to address these issues are not functional, they become problematic. While there are laws intended to protect victims of violence, she stated that law enforcement often fails to respect these laws. She said in The Gambia, the “masala” syndrome contributes to a culture of silence, where issues of violence are frequently swept under the rug.
She said People are reluctant to come forward out of fear of being labelled, as such labels can persist across generations, with communities remembering those who reported their husbands or family members to the authorities.
She highlighted that society often expects women to remain silent and submissive, keeping marital secrets, including instances of violence.
When women do report these incidents, they often face stigmatisation or even disownment, and in some cases, may find it difficult to marry again within that community. She said the lack of confidentiality and trust issues further hinder many women from reporting perpetrators of violence. She said preventing and tackling violence is a matter of changing the mindsets of the people and long-term counselling to help survivors heal.
She said there is a need for more education to look at Gender Violence issues as a Health Issue because once the survivors live with these scars, they remain with them until they talk about it and find healing.
“We want survivors to know they are not alone in facing violence and should speak up for help. Society often encourages women to return to abusive situations, hoping the violence will stop, typically only after their children have grown up,” she said.
She highlighted that when violence occurs, it’s usually the woman who is called for counselling instead of both parties. She said if perpetrators are not addressed, they may believe their actions are justified. she said Traditional and community leaders can facilitate discussions between both individuals, while also being trained on the relevant religious and legal perspectives regarding violence against women.
She said accessing legal frameworks is challenging, and the lengthy court backlogs discourage survivors from reporting incidents. She said many cases of Gender-Based Violence can remain unresolved for years, often leading to their dismissal. She noted that systemic challenges must be addressed proactively. She said having laws is insufficient; effective systems must be established for those laws to work.
She said even with valuable legislation like the Women’s Act and the Domestic Violence Act in place, proper mechanisms are needed to ensure they function effectively.
"We need to educate our people about the laws and emphasise that violence has no place in our society; it only leads to destruction and puts a strain on our healthcare systems by creating unanticipated emergencies," she stated.
She emphasised that it should be a top priority for the government to establish a dedicated fund to combat gender-based violence (GBV). She said while civil society organisations (CSOs) are making significant strides in addressing GBV and promoting women's empowerment, more discussions are essential to tackle violence against women effectively.
"The theme calls for collective action from all stakeholders, including the government, international organisations like the UN, CSOs, NGOs, and individuals. We must work together to end violence against women and ensure that we have proactive, supportive, and financially robust institutions within the health sector and the judicial system to address GBV. This issue not only affects individuals but has a detrimental impact on society as a whole," she added.
Author: Halimatou Ceesay
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