Fifty women have been trained on preventing and responding to violence against women in politics and hate speech at a forum organised by the Women’s Association for Women and Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE) in Banjul.
The training, held at the Banjul City Council Conference Room, was supported by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives. It forms part of a wider engagement that has reached more than 800 people through different activities, with further engagements planned.
The forum aimed to raise awareness of violence against women in politics and help women understand their political rights and participation in decision-making.
National Assembly Member for Banjul South, Modou L. Bah, urged women to participate fully in politics and support one another.
He said citizens must understand their rights and responsibilities in the decision-making process and hold elected representatives accountable for their actions.
Bah also highlighted the upcoming election cycle, which includes presidential, parliamentary, councillorship and mayoral elections. He encouraged young women to consider running for public office.
He argued that people eligible to vote should also be encouraged to seek political positions. He called on women to participate in leadership and hold elected officials accountable.
Dr Jane Nzenwa, WAVE-Gambia’s Gender and Women Empowerment Coordinator, said understanding gender was essential to addressing violence against women in politics.
She explained that violence in public spaces often reflects attitudes and practices that begin within homes and communities.
Dr Nzenwa said women already exercise leadership through family responsibilities, community mobilisation and coordination. She urged them to recognise these roles as a foundation for greater political participation.
She said the session would go beyond conventional training by allowing participants to share their experiences and discuss violence, gender-based abuse and hate speech.
WAVE-Gambia works to promote women’s empowerment, human rights and meaningful participation in public life, including efforts to address barriers facing women in leadership.