Ambassador Klaus Botzet
By: Kebba AF Touray
German Ambassador to the Republic of the Gambia, Klaus Botzet, has said protection of victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), will strengthen trust of the population in the Police.
Ambassador Botzet said this yesterday Wednesday, 28 February 2024, while delivering his opening statement at a stakeholder mapping and engagement with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) dealing with SGBV.
The meeting brought together representatives of CSOs that have set themselves the goal of combating SGBV in the Gambia, representatives of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) and international partner organizations.
“Increased prevention and better victim protection particularly in SGVB, will strengthen the Gambian population’s trust in the Police,” he said, adding that the GPF in its 2024-2028 strategic plan, mentioned an increase in public confidence through improved service delivery as a strategic goal.
He explained that the objective of German-EU support to the GPF program commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office and co-funded by the European Union, is to strengthen the capacities of police services in serving and protecting the citizenry by democratic policing principles, adding that the way police officers handle and investigate SGBV is essential for victims to find the courage to report incidents so that perpetrators do not get away with violations of their rights.
“To achieve this objective, experiences and expertise of Gambian CSO actors who work in this area are critical. CSOs have vast experiences in behavioral change communication, and they understand how different group’s attitudes towards SGBV can be changed,” he said.
Hence, he said the GPF can build on this experience to achieve its objective in reducing SGBV cases by 20 percent. CSOs as explained by Ambassador Botzet, are also on the frontline in investigating and prosecuting SGBV victims, adding that they accompany victims to Police stations, hospitals for medical examination, and the court.
“They know the criminal justice system from the victim’s perspective and can provide valuable feedback on where the interface between the police and victims can be improved,” he said.
He expressed his appreciation of seeing how the Gambian CSOs’ engagements has assisted in addressing the injustices committed and how their recommendations have found their way into the transitional justice process.
“This is an example of CSO’s crucial role in society. It can achieve a great deal in complementing or challenging state policy and in initiating social change,” Ambassador Botzet added.
He underscored the commitment of Germany to a feminist foreign policy which he said means that they are also dedicated to gender equality and reducing inequalities through their projects.
According to the findings of the said mapping, 30 Gambian CSOs who are focused in conducting advocacy and awareness raising campaigns on sexual harassment, rape, domestic violence, FGM/C, Child marriage, commercial sexual exploitation, and the trafficking of women and children, participated in the mapping.
