Ancha Ceesay has been volunteering with the Gender Management Information System (GMIS) for just over three weeks now. She takes calls from survivors of gender-based violence in The Gambia.

The helpline number is 199. The call centre is available to survivors, at any time and from any location within The Gambia. This helpline offers a safe and confidential option for survivors and individuals who are vulnerable to speak out against violence and abuse.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is an overarching term encompassing all forms of harm inflicted on individuals due to their gender, stemming from entrenched gender inequality and power differentials. GBV can impact anyone - regardless of their gender, age, social standing, or education.

In response to the pressing issue of GBV in The Gambia, the GMIS was established through a collaborative initiative involving UNFPA, UNDP, ITC, UNICEF, and key national stakeholders like the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, along with the Network against gender-based violence. The GMIS was adapted from the GBVIMS+ (GBV Information Management System), which is a similar approach used globally in development settings.

The GMIS platform separates gender-based violence into the following categories: child marriage, denial of resources, female genital mutilation, intimate partner violence, physical assault, psychological abuse, rape, and sexual assault.

Ancha told UNFPA about her training for this role:

“We’ve been trained to listen and be calm, talk to them, hello, this is the GMIS Centre and it’s Ancha Ceesay speaking. If they don’t speak, you take your time…and then you don’t hang up on them. You…keep talking, telling them that anything they say here is confidential and wouldn’t be shared with anyone unless there’s need for referral.”

This call centre is one part of the GMIS. There’s also an online platform where anyone in The Gambia can report cases of gender-based violence, ten One Stop Centres across the country, and one GBV shelter. All GBV case workers adhere to global standards of GBV case management.

All survivors have access to medical and healthcare services; psychosocial support; legal services; and the involvement of the police if they give their consent.

Since starting in January 2023, the GMIS has recorded 310 cases of GBV:

• 100% of GBV survivors who needed medical attention were appropriately referred and received the necessary medical services.
• 99.6% of GBV survivors who reported to a One Stop Centre received psycho-social support and counselling.
• 98% of survivors are female.
• 35% of all cases reported involved children aged 0-14 years. These cases were reported by adults.
• Rape is the most perpetrated form of GBV in The Gambia affecting all age ranges, but children aged 10-14 years tend to be the most affected, followed by adolescents aged 15-17 years.
• Reported perpetrators were mostly current partners, followed by people unknown to the survivors, and thirdly, family friends or neighbours.
• 32.7% of GBV cases reported to the GMIS were also reported to the police, while 67.3% did not lodge their case with the police.
• 32% of GBV survivors who reported cases were willing to pursue legal action, while up to 65% did not want to do so.
• 2.2% of GBV survivors accepted places at the GBV shelter.

By documenting cases, the GMIS is a pivotal tool in the development of effective GBV programming. In other words – a vital step in creating interventions that work.

Ancha is determined to spread the word:

“…this is just the beginning for GMIS. And there’s more need for sensitisation, awareness-raising. Because I believe there’s so many gender-based violence going on. Incidents going on here in The Gambia. And …if people get to know about this line, I’m sure we will receive more than the number of calls we receive a day. Because there’s so many untold stories out there. So many people want to confide in someone, but they don’t have the courage. So, with this line, I believe we need more sensitisation, awareness-raising, for people to understand what really is this line for. To eradicate gender-based violence.”

 

If you’re a survivor of gender-based violence in The Gambia, you can:

• Call 199.
• Visit https://gbvims.africa/login to report an incident.
• Go to one of our One Stop Centres, or the GBV shelter. Our call centre volunteers can direct you to the nearest one.

Media contact - Anna Ceesay ceesay@unfpa.org / Mbasireh Saidybah saidybah@unfpa.org