In 2019, a group of seven women activists formed the Women’s Association for Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE). These women have been involved from the outset in the transitional justice process in The Gambia, with four of the women themselves being direct victims of human rights violations.

During the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh, women victims were subjected to many acts of human rights violations and abuses. In this present day, many bear the brunt of those violations, yet continue to suffer in silence. They are in need for interventions to address their plight.

WAVE’s work in the area of transitional justice is to promote and support the participation of women to become agents of change in matters of importance to them and in their journey for healing, reconciliation, reparations, accountability and justice. There also exists a real need to address aspects relating to gender equality, women’s empowerment and promotion of the rights and freedoms of women and girls for the advancement of peace, development as well as realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

From extensive discussions with women, particularly victims, barriers and gaps to their meaningful, sustained and substantive participation in the public sphere were identified as was the necessity to engage in specific gender-oriented programs and advocacy to ensure that their informed views and opinions are considered with the weight they should be.

Since starting its operations in January 2020, WAVE has built a strong network of women, the majority of them victims of violations and abuses, and has strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, enhancing collaboration in the pursuance of our common agenda.

WAVE has organised and led outreach and awareness raising programs, women’s focus group consultations and documentation of human rights violations and abuses of women and children as well as their needs for psychological, medical and economic support. Similarly, members have been instrumental in crowd funding to support some victims meet some of their day-to-day needs.

Core members have participated in training programs organised by Amnesty International (Netherlands), United Nations bodies and other international organisations to enhance their skills and capacity to properly monitor, document and report on human rights violations in The Gambia.