EFSCRJ 2025 – 2029 Cross-Cutting Issues and Strategies

CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND STRATEGIES

Cross-cutting issues are themes that permeate all five strategic components (Freedom, Equality, Empowerment, Transparency, Accountability) and are critical to achieving holistic, sustainable, and impactful change. Below is an overview of these issues and their strategic aims: 

1. Gender Equality & Social Inclusion

Gender disparities and exclusion of marginalized groups (e.g., women, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities) undermine democratic progress. 

Aims:

• Ensure all interventions address gender-based discrimination and promote inclusive participation. 
• Mainstream intersectionality (e.g., disability-inclusive advocacy, youth engagement). 

Examples: 

✔ Gender audits of governance reforms. 

✔ Targeted programs for rural women’s political participation. 

2. Youth Engagement

Youth (under 35) form 60% of the population but face systemic exclusion from decision-making. 

Aims:

• Amplify youth voices in civic/political processes. 
• Combat apathy through leadership training and digital activism. 

Examples:

✔ “Youth Rights Ambassadors” program. 

✔ Social media campaigns on electoral accountability. 

3. Climate Justice & Environmental Rights 

Environmental degradation (e.g., land grabs, coastal erosion) disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. 

Aims:

• Link environmental protection to human rights advocacy. 
• Push for policies holding polluters accountable. 

Examples:

✔ Strategic litigation against illegal mining.                 

✔ Community land-rights awareness campaigns. 

4. Digital Rights & Technology

Digital tools are double-edged—enabling activism but also surveillance/disinformation. 

Aims:

• Advocate for internet freedom and data privacy laws. 
• Train activists on digital security. 

Examples:

✔ Monitoring online harassment of journalists. 

✔ Workshops on combating hate speech. 

5. Conflict Sensitivity & Peacebuilding

Gambia’s fragile democracy requires mitigating polarization (e.g., political/ethnic divisions). 

Aims:

• Integrate peacebuilding into rights advocacy. 
• Foster dialogue between security forces and communities. 

Examples:

✔ Mediation training for CSOs. 

✔ TRRC follow-up reconciliation forums. 

Implementation Strategies

To address cross-cutting issues, EFSCRJ will seek and engage in: 

1. Policy Integration: Embed priorities in all programs (e.g., gender quotas in empowerment workshops). 
2. Partnerships: Collaborate with specialists (e.g., climate NGOs, tech collectives). 
3. Monitoring: Disaggregate data by gender, age, disability, etc., to measure inclusion. 

Our Ultimate Goal: 

A rights-based approach that leaves no one behind, ensuring equity is central to democratic progress.

• Partnerships (local/international collaborations). 
• Research & Advocacy (evidence-based interventions). 
• Legal Reforms (systemic change through litigation/policy). 
• Protests & Civil Disobedience (peaceful activism for accountability). 
• Capacity Building (training for activists, officials, and communities). 

By 2029, the strategy aims to achieve: 

• Strengthened Civic Space: A vibrant ecosystem of CSOs, media, and activists drives change. 
• Democratic Resilience: Institutions resist authoritarian backsliding (e.g., IGP refuses political control and interference). 

• Sustainable Change: Rights-based approaches embedded in local governance and culture. 

“No Taxation Without Representation. No Representation Without Adherence to the Rule of Law.”

– Inspired by Edward Francis Small’s legacy.