HIGHLIGHTS OF RESULTS OUR SILENCE IS THEIR PROTECTION This is the mot to of the Toufah Foundation, which was established in July 2019 by Fatou “Toufah” Jallow, a 23-year-old women’s rights and antirape activist from the Gambia. In June, following the publication of a report by Human Rights Watch and TRIAL International, documenting sexual crimes committed by former president Yahya Jammeh, Toufah decided to speak out publicly, breaking the culture of silence around sexual violence in her country. Her story inspired many in the Gambia and a movement was started by young activists, #IamToufah, which is similar to the #MeToo campaign. Later in the year, Toufah organized an historic women’s march against rape in the Gambia that saw many women and men take to the streets to say no to sexual violence. On 31 October, she testified for more than five hours in front of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which was set up to deal with human rights violations of the former president, who ruled the Gambia for more than 22 years. OHCHR is working closely with Toufah to amplify her message of saying no to sexual violence, to ensure that the voices of victims are heard and to fight against impunity. In this context, the Office supported Toufah’s participation in a panel discussion that was organized for Human Rights Day, in New York, with the UN Secretary-General. Alongside other young human rights defenders from around the world, Toufah reiterated Shifts: Climate change Corruption Inequalities her message and called on young people to take steps to “sit and get heard at the table. And if the tables need to change, create [your] own tables.” In addition, UN Human Rights has supported the TRRC since its inception to strengthen the institutional framework so that victims of serious human rights violations, including victims of sexual violence, like Toufah, can tell their stories in an environment that is safe and respects their dignity. Fatou “Toufah” Jallow (second from right) with OHCHR staff at the West Africa Regional Office. © OHCHR New technologies People on the move UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2019 53