By Lamin Njie
Sex workers found at night on the street nearby Serrekunda West park were attacked by some youth in the neighbourhood that perceived the new-found trade as being immoral, according to a report.
WANEP Gambia on Thursday released its findings on the impacts of COVID-19 on human security and social cohesion in The Gambia.
The 11-page ‘COVID-19: Emerging Peace and Security Dynamics in The Gambia’ report addresses the deadly infection and its impact on governance, security, women, peace and the environment.
In the area of women, peace and security, the report said: “The upsurge in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) owing to the pandemic is also a concern. As COVID-19 deepens gender inequalities, women and girls are disproportionately affected by adverse effects of the pandemic.
“A clear example was an incident around the Serrekunda West Football field where a few female sex workers used to gather before the pandemic to engage in the sex trade.
“Recently, however, due to the closure of the small-sized business, this number has dramatically increased. These women and girls were attacked by some youth in the neighbourhood that perceived the new-found trade as being immoral.”
A WANEP official told The Fatu Network the attack was a one off incident and it happened in April.
