Fighting GBV and FGM in The Gambia

Fighting GBV and FGM in The Gambia: uplifting women and girls through the power of the law

News

Leila Hanafi Teegwendé Valérie Porgo Alieu K. Bah Mariatou J. Newlands

The 16 days of activism had us stand united to champion the empowerment of girls and women, celebrating their rights to lead bold, healthy, and productive lives.  However, for many girls in The Gambia, challenges such as limited access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and protection from gender-based violence (GBV) persist, threatening their futures.

The persistent challenge of GBV and FGM

Despite legislative efforts, GBV, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), continues to affect a significant number of women and girls in The Gambia. 76% of women aged 14–49 have undergone FGM, with 51% of girls under 14 at risk, particularly in rural areas where harmful traditional practices are deeply rooted.

These practices carry severe social and health implications, perpetuating cycles of harm.

A milestone in July 2024, the rejection of a bill seeking to repeal the 2015 Women’s (Amendment) Act, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting women and girls from FGM. This decision reflects The Gambia’s commitment to gender equality and sends a strong message of progress.

The role of legal champions in driving change

Organizations like the Female Lawyers Association of the Gambia (FLAG), a key advocate for the enactment of the criminalization of the FGM Law, are at the forefront of this battle, turning the law into a transformative tool for social change. FLAG’s direct intervention in cases like that of Mariama (name changed for privacy), a young girl at risk of FGM, underscores the urgent need for action. Women and girls have little choice in this matter, with reports of forced mutilations being common.

  • Women lawyers, as advocates and community mobilizers, play a vital role in enforcing the FGM ban and raising awareness.
  • Through their work, they foster accountability, protect survivors, and challenge the deeply rooted social norms underpinning harmful practices.
  • With support from the World Bank-funded Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Plus (SWEDD+) Project in collaboration with its SWEDD+ country legal platform of stakeholders, FLAG and other stakeholders are strengthening legal systems and promoting behavioral shifts to increase women’s and girls’ choices, voice, and agency.

The power of a multisectoral approach

Tackling GBV and FGM requires collaboration across sectors to address the complexity of the problem. The Gambia’s comprehensive approach involves:

  • Policy dialogue with decision-makers across health, education, and social protection sectors.
  • Partnering with religious leaders, parliamentarians, and legal advocates to align efforts with cultural and societal realities.
  • Establishing one-stop centers and grievance management committees for coordinated responses to GBV and improved service delivery.

This integrated strategy ensures immediate support for survivors while fostering long-term societal change, empowering women and girls to overcome barriers and reach their full potential.

Toward a brighter future

The fight against GBV and FGM in The Gambia is far from over, but progress is evident. By leveraging the power of law, building multi-sectoral partnerships, and challenging deeply ingrained social norms, The Gambia is making strides toward a future where every girl and woman can live free from violence and harm.

Together, we can ensure that women and girls in The Gambia lead empowered lives, breaking the cycle of harm and creating lasting change—one step at a time.

Source: World Bank Blogs

WE ARE HIRING!

Job Vacancy.

Job Title: Research and Legal Assistant
Organization: Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG)
Job Type: Full-time
Application Deadline: 14th November 2024, 12:00 am

About FLAG:

The Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG) is a non-political, non-sectarian, and non-profit organization founded in 2006. FLAG is comprised of female legal professionals, committed to advancing the rights of women and children in The Gambia. The Association welcomes the support of male legal professionals as honorary members and engages with various stakeholders to uphold the rights of women and children.

Our Objectives:

FLAG seeks to influence legal reform and foster the protection and empowerment of women and children in The Gambia through the following key objectives:

  • Advocating for gender equality through legislative reforms, public education, and advocacy.
  • Enhancing the legal welfare of women and children by promoting their rights.
  • Supporting the principles of the United Nations and the African Union, particularly regarding women’s and children’s rights.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Research and Legal Assistant to join our legal team. This individual will play a pivotal role in conducting legal research, supporting casework, drafting legal documents, and providing administrative assistance to ensure the smooth operation of the legal department. The ideal candidate will have excellent research and analytical skills, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Client and Case Management:

  • Assist in client registration and interview arrangements.
  • Organize and manage witness statements and supporting documentation.
  • Maintain and update legal files and case records.

Legal Research and Documentation:

  • Conduct in-depth legal research and provide well-structured legal opinions.
  • Draft, review, and proofread legal documents, correspondence, and reports.
  • Compile and analyze data for case preparation and legal reports.

Court and Administrative Support:

  • Assist in filing legal documents and managing the court case calendar.
  • Accurately document court proceedings and prepare relevant legal documents.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Support the preparation of proposals and perform other administrative tasks as needed.
  • Represent FLAG in meetings and various organizational activities.
  • Provide general support to the legal team and undertake other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • LLB or Bachelor’s Degree in Law (with Merit or higher).
  • Solid understanding of legal terminology and processes.
  • Demonstrated experience in legal research, administration, or legal work.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and legal research databases.
  • Strong research and analytical skills.
  • Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
  • Prior experience as a legal or research assistant in a legal setting is a plus.

Why Join FLAG?

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in promoting women’s and children’s rights in The Gambia. If you are passionate about legal advocacy and eager to contribute your expertise to a respected organization, we encourage you to apply.

How to Apply:

Please submit your application, including a cover letter and resume, to  admin-hr-officer@flag.gm no later than 14th November 2024 at 12:00 am.

We look forward to welcoming you to our team!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD

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The Gambia’s laws protect girls, but laws alone aren’t enough.”On this International Day of the Girl Child 2024, we call for action to turn those protections into real progress. At FLAG, we’re advocating for stronger enforcement of The Gambia’s Children’s Act to end harmful practices like FGM and child marriage. It’s time to listen to girls, invest in their futures, and build a country where every girl’s potential is fully realized. Together, let’s create a future where our girls don’t just survive—they lead.

📌 FLAG Annual General Meeting & Meet & Greet

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Join us on 21st September 2024 at Ocean Bay Hotel for the FLAG AGM followed by a Meet & Greet session. It’s a great opportunity to engage with members, partners, and stakeholders, celebrate our progress, and discuss future efforts toward gender equality and justice in The Gambia. Let’s connect and strengthen our advocacy for women’s and children’s rights.

#FLAGAGM #MeetAndGreet #EmpoweringWomen #GenderEquality #Gambia

Request for Proposals: Development of Legal Aid Policies Issued by: Female Lawyers Association-Gambia (FLAG) with from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

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Introduction: The Female Lawyers Association Gambia (FLAG), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is inviting qualified consultants with expertise in legal frameworks, legal aid, and human rights to develop a comprehensive set of Legal Aid Policies. These policies will serve as the foundational guide for FLAG’s pro bono Legal Aid Clinic and its broader advocacy efforts, focusing on the rights and empowerment of women and children in The Gambia. The policies will ensure that FLAG delivers services in a professional, ethical, and structured manner, aligned with international standards and best practices.

Objective: The objective of this consultancy is to create detailed policies that will enhance the operation of FLAG’s Legal Aid Clinic and advocacy work. The policies will cover essential areas such as client eligibility, data protection, conflict of interest, code of conduct, anti-discrimination, and other key policies critical to legal aid delivery and advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Scope of Work: The consultant is expected to:

• Conduct a Needs Assessment: Perform a thorough evaluation of FLAG’s current legal aid services, advocacy efforts, and operational challenges to identify key areas that require policy development.
• Develop Comprehensive Legal Aid Policies: Draft clear, structured, and comprehensive policies that will guide FLAG’s work. The policies must include but are not limited to:
• Client Eligibility Policy: Guidelines on who qualifies for FLAG’s services, including a focus on women’s empowerment.
• Conflict of Interest Policy: Managing conflicts in the representation of clients.
• Confidentiality and Data Protection Policy: Ensuring client information is handled with utmost care.
• Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy: Upholding the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Anti-Discrimination Policy: Promoting equality and non-discrimination in all services.
• Cost Waiver Policy (if applicable): Establishing the process for waiving costs for eligible clients.
• Referral and Collaboration Policy: Formalizing partnerships with key stakeholders (e.g. Police, National Legal Aid Clinic, National Human Rights Commission, One Stop Centres etc.).
• Case Reporting Policies: Clear procedures for both lawyers and administrative staff on case handling and reporting.
• PSEA and Safeguarding Policies: Protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and safeguarding for all stakeholders.
• Resource Mobilization, Financing, and Strategic Litigation Policies: Guidelines for financial sustainability and high-impact litigation.
• Victim Protection, ADR, Mental Health, and Training Policies: Ensuring holistic support, training for staff and external groups, and ADR services.
• Record Keeping, Research, and Access to Justice Policies: Enhancing case management, archiving, and access through mobile and online clinics.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Risk Management, and Pro Bono Policies: Ensuring continuous assessment, risk mitigation, and volunteer engagement.
• Transport and Engagement Terms Policies: Supporting mobility for legal aid provision and formalizing terms for collaboration.
• Consult Stakeholders: Engage with key stakeholders, including FLAG staff, clients, partners, and external experts, to gather insights and feedback for the development of the policies.
• Training and Dissemination: Provide recommendations for the dissemination of the policies and conduct a workshop for FLAG staff to ensure they are equipped to implement them effectively.
•

Submission Requirements:
Interested parties should submit their proposals by 10thSeptember 2024 via email to President@flag.gm/Info@flag.gm. Proposals should include the following:

• Cover letter introducing the organization or individual and expressing interest in this project.
• Detailed proposal outlining the approach, methodology, and timeline for developing the Legal Aid Policies.
• Relevant qualifications and experience in legal documentation, legal aid services, or related fields.
• Samples of previous work or similar projects.
• Acknowledgment of Fixed Fee Structure, confirming acceptance of the pre-determined budget for the project..

Evaluation Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Experience and expertise in legal documentation and legal aid services.
• Clarity and comprehensiveness of the proposal.
• Alignment with the Fixed Fee Structure and cost-effectiveness
• Ability to meet project timelines.

Timeline:
• Proposal Submission Deadline: 12th September 2024
• Selection of Proposal: 17th September 2024
• Commencement of Project: 20th September 2024
• Completion of Legal Aid Manual: 8th November 2024

Contact Information:
For inquiries and submission of proposals, please contact president@flag.gm/ Info@flag.gm.

FLAG looks forward to receiving your proposals and working together to enhance access to justice through the development of this vital Legal Aid Manual.

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