Conscience International (CI) trained students on Gender based Violence

As part of events marking the observance of International Women's Day, Conscience International (CI) organised a one day seminar for students drawn from five (5) Upper Basic Schools within the Kanifing Municipality on Friday, 8 March 2013.

The seminar was held at the St. Paul de Vincent Hall, Westfield. It was centered on gender, rights and responsibilities of women, in relation to reproductive rights and protection. Topics such as the basic concepts of human rights, and specific components such as gender based violence, clasification and categories of rights, namely 'legal and moral; civil, political, economics, social, cultural; environmental and developmental rights', and related issues was discussed with the students.

In his address at the start of the seminar Shaka Ceesay, Director of Conscience International (CI) said the event is conducted coinciding with the commemoration of the International Women's Day. He said CI is operating both in The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia, engage on enlightening people about their rights.

He started the training by letting the students to suggest ground rules for the training, followed by lectures on the topics, usually started by participatory assessment of students understanding of the topic. The students responded positively and at the end of the seminar acted three short drama episodes relating to gender based violence in the communities.

He explained that human rights is like a scale and does not empower someone to disrespect the rights of others. He stated that gender based violence talks about infliction of pain between men and women. According to him, sexual violence is perpetuated by both men and women, especially in our communities. However, he said the objective of the training is to provide students with the right tools for the protection and promotion of their rights. He further noted that human rights does empower anyone to violate other's rights.

Phyllis Machuka, a Trainer who made the second presentation at the seminar explained about the Clasification of rights, which includes Legal rights and Moral rights. She further noted that Legal rights are laid down in laws, such as the national laws; while Moral rights deals with customs and traditions.

She further lectured on the categories of human rights which covers civil and political rights, including right to life, religion, privacy, participation, among others.

She said the economic, social and cultural rights deals with right to property, marriage, among others. She added that these rights meant to protect our economic, social and cultural activities. She also explain about the concepts of environmental and developmental rights.

During discussions on gender based violence, some students upheld that the Islamic laws empowers husbands to purnish or batter their wives if they continue to do wrong things, while others upheld that husbands need to think of replacing wife battering with a more kindly and educational options.

Fatoumata Darboe, Trainer of Conscience International (CI) centered her presentation on relationship and mediation techniques, to control gender based violence. She commented on loyalty, respect and honesty as important characteristics in maintaining a healthy relationship, which can be strenthen through dialogue and effective communication.

She also advise students to avoid early sex and pregnancy, adhear to morals and best practices, adopt positive attitude and avoid humiliating dress codes and compelling behaviors which may lead them to sexual exploitation and violence by their male counterparts. She also talked of the importance of maintaining respect and understanding in marriage.

She also lectured on techniques of reporting sexul violence and further advise children to plan for their future and be responsible, not to follow unreasonable life styles, enjoyments or bad friends.

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