The Gambia Bar Association (GBA), with support from the American Bar Association through the Promoting Rights and Justice Initiative, recently concluded a series of community engagement activities on human rights and the rule of law across The Gambia.
As part of this initiative, the GBA visited schools, including Nyayen Senior Secondary School in the North Bank Region, Bansang Senior Secondary School in the Central River Region, Koba Kunda Senior Secondary School in the Upper River Region, Soma Senior Secondary School in the Lower River Region, and Mahad Senior Secondary School in the West Coast Region. The visits aimed to educate and enlighten students on human rights, basic laws, and legal provisions safeguarding these rights.
In addition to school outreach, the GBA offered free legal services to community members. During these sessions, individuals sought legal assistance on various issues, with guidance provided on addressing their concerns. These efforts are part of the GBA’s commitment to fostering a generation of well-informed, conscientious citizens who uphold the values of justice and equality.
The GBA also engaged community members through radio programs to raise awareness about the Women’s Amendment Act 2015, educating women on laws that protect their rights in areas such as education, health, employment, inheritance, family, and maternity leave. The discussions, led by Mr. Abdoulie Fatty, Secretary of the GBA, and Ms. Penda Dibba, Executive Secretary of the GBA, highlighted the progress represented by the Act while acknowledging ongoing challenges in its implementation, particularly socio-cultural barriers.
Other key topics included human rights and access to justice for marginalized communities. The discussions emphasized the importance of ensuring that justice is accessible to all individuals, regardless of gender or socio-economic status. Panelists stressed that true justice requires equality before the law for everyone.
Through these initiatives, the GBA continues to champion the principles of human rights, equality, and justice across The Gambia.
