Chapter 3: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, Presidential Alternative Treatment Program, PATP and Witch Hunt excercise - User Friendly summary Gov.White paper on the TRRCs report with ICTJ and Partners

Can a nation truly heal from decades of systemic abuse? Join us as we expose the harrowing findings of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) about the rampant sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) committed under former President Yahya Jammeh's regime. We uncover how national beauty pageants and the Presidential Alternative Treatment Program (PATP) served as sinister fronts for horrific abuses. Hear the stories of survival from victims who endured mistreatment not only at the hands of the former president but also through terrifying witch hunt exercises designed to punish dissenting communities.

This episode doesn't just recount atrocities; it lays out a pathway to justice and reform. We discuss the TRRC's bold recommendations, including prosecuting Yahya Jammeh and his high-ranking accomplices, enforcing strict sexual abuse policies, and implementing comprehensive training for law enforcement and healthcare workers. Learn about the steps the Gambian government is taking to end the stigma and protect victims' rights, ensuring that such heinous acts are never repeated. Listen in to understand the scope of these crimes and the urgent need for systemic change in The Gambia from 1994 to 2016.

Transcript

Lamin: 0:14

Chapter 3 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, sgbv, presidential Alternative Treatment Program, pat and Witch Hunt S WHO TRRC Findings what Happened?

Lamin: 0:29

The TRRC in its investigations were able to find out serious issues relating to sexual and gender-based violence through the then-National Beauty Pageantry Competition and other ceremonial occasions, in which the former President, y Jammeh, and his security apparatus were found to be committing sexual and gender-based violence. The Presidential Alternative Treatment Program was also another initiative in which the former president was found to be committing sexual and gender-based violence. Similarly, the former president alleged to have the cure for HIV and AIDS and in his treatment program, most women were sexually abused, mistreated, harassed and forced to abandon their conventional medications and opt for the traditional local herbs. Subsequently, some of these people lost their lives, while others continued to live under the ill effects of this treatment program. The witch hunt exercise, on the other hand, was found to be a strategy to punish those communities that do not support the former government. The then president, yahya Jame, brought people who alleged to be witch hunters and were deployed to communities like Sintit, jamburr, essau, barra, etc.

Lamin: 1:52

With the support of the security forces to arrest innocent citizens. Victims of witch hunts were forced to drink anti-witch traditional medicines, which made most of them sick and subsequently losing their lives. Several of these victims still continue to suffer the consequences of the bad treatment, including health issues and community stigmatization. When did it happen? From 1994 to 2016. Who are the perpetrators? The then President, yahya Jammeh, the then Minister of Interior, u Sonko, top security officials, d T B, etc.

Isatou: 2:32

TRRC recommendation and government commitment. What is recommended? The TRRC recommends and the government accepts the following Team sexual and gender-based violence. One prosecute former president, top government officials and security officers for SGBV crimes. Two make it mandatory for all institutions, including private and civil society, for all institutions, including private and civil society, to put in place sexual abuse and harassment policies in place as required by the Women's Act 2010 and the National Women's Policy. Three dismiss and ban of public and security officials found guilty of SGBV from holding public office. Four expand the one-stop center approach for the management of SGBV and introduce a toll-free hotline which is accessible to all. Five training of law enforcement officials in dealing with sexual and gender-based violence cases as part of the security sector reform mechanisms. And six sensitize relevant government institutions and the Gambian people in general on sexual and gender-based violence Theme.

Isatou: 3:49

The Presidential Alternative Treatment Program, patp1. Prosecution of the former President, yahya Jammeh, the former Health Minister, d Tamsir M M, other senior government officials involved in this act. Two Tamsir Mbowe's Tamseem Bowe's practicing license indefinitely for failing to honor the Medical Code of Conduct. And three dismiss and banning from holding public office for some public and security officials. Four train all health care workers in the Gambia on HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination, and protection the rights to privacy and confidentiality of people living with HIV and S AIDS. Six ensure media practitioners uphold the standards for reporting on persons living with HIV and AIDS. And the last one ensure access to treatment care health service for people living with HIV and AIDS. And the last one ensure access to treatment care health service for people living with HIV and L G La Gambia.

Lamin: 4:46

Team Witch Hunt exercise. One prosecution of the former president and other senior government officials involved in the act. Two dismissing and banning from holding public office for some public and security officials. 3. Enact laws to make it illegal to refer to people as witches. 4. Training of security personnel to recognize the negative impact of identifying people as witches. 5. NCCE, m and civil society organizations to engage in advocacy and awareness programs to sensitize the public and local communities to change the mindset and attitudes regarding the stigma attached to witchcraft. Six Guidelines be provided to prevent security forces being used to carry out unlawful orders. When is the recommendation implementation period? From 2023 to 2027. Which institutions are responsible for the implementation Team?

Lamin: 5:53

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The Ministry of Justice Special Prosecutor's Office. Ministry of Gender, children and Social Welfare. Gambia Police Force, national Legal Aid, alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat, judiciary, public Utilities and Regulatory Authority. Ministry of Trade, industry, regional Integration and Employment. National Human Rights Commission. Ministry of Public Service. Ministry of Interior. National Agency for Trafficking in Person. National Council for Civic Education and the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority. Accreditation and Quality Assurance.

Isatou: 6:36

Authority Team. Presidential Alternative Treatment Program. Ministry of Justice, special Prosecutor Office, medical and Dental Council. Ministry of Health, medicine Control Agency. National Aid Secretariat. Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, ministry of Higher Education, research, science and Technology. National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority. Nursing and Midwife Council. Gambia Press Union. Ministry of Information.

Lamin: 7:10

T R H, s W, Ministry of Justice, special Prosecutcutors Office, ministry of Interior, gambia Police Force, national Assembly, ministry of Defense, National Human Rights Commission, national Council for Civic Education, civil Society Organizations. Thank you.