By Nelson Manneh
The Tourism Diversification and Resilience Project (TDRGP) has organized a three-day sensitization programme aimed at enhancing awareness and understanding of environmental issues and addressing of gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and sexual harassment (SH).
The comprehensive training programme conducted from Wednesday, 27 December 2023 to Friday, 29 December 2023, involved theoretical frameworks, practical case studies and interactive sessions. The initiative targeted TDRGP staff and partners in order to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to address these above critical issues within the context of the tourism sector and the objectives of the training was to provide a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues within the context of tourism, by raising awareness and promoting the prevention of GBV and sexual exploitation and harassment, and also to relate the impact of environmental sustainability to the objectives and activities of the TDRGP.
Fanta Jatta Sowe, a distinguished GBV consultant with the Project, expressed her appreciation of a highly interactive session in setting the tone for an engaging and productive day, and disclosed that the TDRGP is a World Bank funded project for the next five years.
Taking a moment to acknowledge the valuable time invested by the participants, Fanta extended her sincere gratitude for their commitment in attending the training amid their demanding schedules and said this was due to the recognition of a shared dedication in addressing the critical issues surrounding GBV.
Fanta implemented a unique introduction approach by allowing participants to pair up and share personal introductions.
Foday Fatty, an Environmental Risk Management officer, led the first session of the programme and focused on the Tourism Diversification and Resilience Project (TDRGP). In his presentation, he outlined the project’s objectives, emphasising support for the diversification and resilience of the Gambian tourism sector in the key regions of Greater Banjul Area, North Bank, Central River and the West Coast Regions.The four components of the TDRGP were highlighted by Mr. Fatty in underscoring the Gambia government’s recognition of tourism as a crucial productive sector.
“The primary goal of the project is to enhance the diversification and resilience of the Gambia tourism sector in selected destinations,” he said.
Mr. Fatty explained that the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) provides a comprehensive summary of measures to mitigate potential environmental and social risks and impacts, by forming the basis for monitoring project performance.
