The Gambia Police Force faces significant challenges in addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Financed by GIZ and under the lead of Project Lighthouse Africa a cross-unit team of dedicated police officers laid the foundation for developing a communication strategy to address SGBV and domestic violence. It was a great team effort.
Based on a knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) study of 856 GPF officers across seven regions and input from a group of over 20 male and female GPF officers at two workshops in Bakau in April and May 2025, this communication strategy was developed.
The expertise, dedication and input of GPF police officers representing deep knowledge and experience from the GPF Gender and Child Welfare (GCW) Unit, Public Relations (PR) Unit, Community Policing (CP) Unit, Police Intervention Unit (PIU), Human Rights and Professional Standards Unit (HRPS), OC Planning Unit, Traffic Division, Charge Office and GPF Women’s Network made this communication strategy possible.
The strategy outlines a systematic approach to behavioural change through integrated communication interventions, targeting internal capacity building, external community awareness and sustainable partnership development. Key interventions include mandatory training programmes, innovative digital platforms (including podcast production), engagement with traditional leaders, and comprehensive monitoring frameworks designed to measure both attitudinal shifts and operational effectiveness in SGBV prevention and response.
