Inspector General of Police
By Buba Gagigo
The Gambia Police Force has denied Gambian Women’s Lives Matter a permit to stage a sensitisation at Westfield Youth Monument on 25th September 2021 at 10:00 am.
“Reference is made to your letter dated 18th September 2020 (sic) requesting for a permit to hold a match pass (sic) and a peaceful assembly on the theme Gambia Women Lives Matter.
“Accordingly, this office writes to inform you that your request for a match pass is not granted. However you are further advised to submit your concerns in the form of a petition through the appropriate channel or hold a press conference on the matter,” the police said in a letter dated 16th September 2021, in response to the group’s request.
Meanwhile, the Gambian Women’s Lives Matter on 7th September 2021, in a letter requested the police to grant them a permit to stage a sensitisation programme at Westfield Youth Monument on 25th September 2021 at 10:00 hrs to enlighten Gambians and residents of The Gambia on prevention of maternal mortality.
“Reference to the above, we the above group intends to stage a sensitisation program at Westfield Youth Monument on 25th September 2021 at 10:00 hrs to enlighten Gambians and residents of The Gambia on prevention of maternal mortality. The group came to the realization that some oversights the importance of adhering to antenatal guidance and prescriptions and often a time they shy away from the process. The group further wants to encourage women to rationally choose their antenatal clinics as it is also observed that most deaths are from those registered with the private hospitals who lack the capacity to handle complications and end of using the government facility when all hopes are lost.
“Due to the urgency of the awareness campaign and cognisant of the State of Public Emergency Regulation on social distancing, we want to assure your noble office that, limited number would be allowed and they will be in face masks. The physical distancing of two meters shall be observed during the entire process.
“While we aim to save lives because we do not know who will be the next, we solicit your understanding and approval of this request,” the group’s written request for permit on 7th September 2021 stated.