Priscilla Yagu Shalom Ciesay, Senior Technical Advisor at Gambia’s Women’s Association for Victims’ Empowerment.
Reflections from the Commission on the Status of Women
Walking the bustling streets of New York during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) felt like stepping into a global heartbeat. As part of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) delegation representing the Evangelical Lutheran Church of The Gambia, I arrived from Banjul, The Gambia, known as ‘The Smiling Coast of Africa’ —my safe space while serving as Senior Technical Advisor at WAVE-Gambia (Women’s Association for Women & Victims’ Empowerment—with stories from many survivors.
The United Nations headquarters loomed large, a symbol of international promise, but it was the side events, the whispered conversations in crowded hallways, and the shared prayers in our LWF office that truly moved me. Amid skyscrapers and yellow taxis, I felt profoundly connected to the women I serve back home and in other country contexts: the underprivileged, marginalized, vulnerable, those who feel that they have no voice to make a difference in their lives, much less amongst the global sisterhood. I’ve worked with victims of myriad types of abuses, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) survivors and others whose testimonies before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) exposed a regime of terror. New York wasn't just a conference; it was a spiritual refueling for the long haul of advocacy.
Churches are sanctuaries for survivors
Back home in The Gambia, my work supporting the church is deeply personal and practical. Churches there are more than buildings; they are sanctuaries where victims should be able to seek solace after weeks, months, even years of silence. Therefore, the doors should stay open and the bells ring out loud and clear, so this sanctuary always feels welcoming to them. Often times though, the support is not always enough or available - not due to a systemic failure, but perhaps the lack of appreciation and understanding that comes with dealing with victims of abuse. Such victims sometimes feel that access to justice is denied them in the secular world and that, even within the walls of the church, it might not be possible for them to find support that is inclusive, meaningful and effective. It’s always important to remember that delayed reporting for some victims - even within the church - isn’t always about doubt, but sometimes a shield against re-traumatization.
I've facilitated "safe space" dialogues where survivors share testimonies, not for spectacle, but for communal healing, often ending in prayer circles that bind us like family. CSW70 supercharged this work, giving me tools, allies, and unshakeable conviction. The Storyteller sessions pierced my soul—ordinary women from conflict zones recounting horrors that echoed Gambian experiences yet rising with prophetic fire. Hearing "justice is a covenant" reframed my approach: no longer just legal advocacy, but sacred promise-keeping, expanding "church" beyond traditional bounds.
Deepening my soul’s capacity for advocacy
In co-mentorship discussions, youth voices demanding inclusion mirrored the Gambian girls I mentor, inspiring me to scale up our church programs nationwide. Embracing Diversity challenged me to better include LGBTQ+ faithful and migrants in our dialogues. The multi-sectoral call—"we are all from the womb of our communities"—validated our blend of formal law with informal rites like village councils, where elders mediate family SGBV cases with faith-infused wisdom.
As panelist on "Securing Justice for Women in Conflict Settings" and "Justice in Practice – Policing, Accountability, and Survivor Engagement," I brought The Gambia's hybrid transformative justice process to faith-led resilience hubs. Sharing alongside Colombian, Palestinian, Tanzanian and Polish sisters, I gained replicable strategies: Colombia's reparations-first model for Gambian survivors, Poland's church networks for displaced Ukrainian women. Daily LWF worship sessions—hymns rising above New York's roar—renewed my spirit, turning exhaustion into fire. Induction programs and WhatsApp check-ins built a sisterhood that still texts me encouragement.
CSW70 didn't just strengthen my advocacy; it deepened my soul's capacity for it. Back home, I'll push churches to adopt "one-stop covenants"—safe spaces linking psychosocial care, legal aid, and prayer. I'll advocate for CSW-inspired policies in accountability mechanisms, ensuring SGBV survivors can testify, including via video-link without fear. Most personally, CSW reminded me why I persist: every sermon shifted, every girl mentored, every elder trained chips away at impunity. In New York, I saw the global church rise for women; now, I carry that momentum to Gambian pulpits. Justice isn't won alone: it's covenanted in community, fueled by faith, and fierce with love.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Gambia is in the process of joining the LWF as a member church.
