WHAT ARE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS?
Along this journey, I have been honoured to have had the opportunity to engage with and learn from so many passionate and dedicated change- makers, many of whose careers span over 35 years, and I am grateful to them for contributing their expertise and insights to this cause. DNAforAfrica is a story of mentorship, collaboration, dedication, and hope which I attribute to our army of “DNA Crusaders” who are as passionate about change as we are. In bringing together a multitude of international and local forensic experts and activists, all of whom share a passion for forensic science and crime resolution, we are able to explore an integrated approach to resolving crime through best practices and lessons learned. DNAforAfrica has also partnered with organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, SADC, and the African Union Commission to raise awareness for the need for greater use of forensic profiling throughout Africa These organisations adopt a survivor-centred approach to crime resolution, and I have found that collaborating with these agencies helps promote adherence to humanitarian principles and the rights of affected victims and communities. This is particularly relevant when addressing those in the justice and medicolegal sectors, where vulnerable and distressed victims deserve the highest levels of professionalism and scientific rigor without compromising on empathy, respect, and dignity. It has taught me that to comprehensively combat sexual violence, it is necessary to address both the well-being of survivors and the crimes of the perpetrators. Further, encouraging countries to engage with each other, and share in each other’s knowledge, policies, and expertise is key.
WHY DO YOU THINK FUNDING THESE DNA PROGRAMS IS NECESSARY? DNAforAfrica has also highlighted the need for donor funding to support DNA programs in Africa. We do not have to reinvent the wheel as we are best placed – as part of the greater African community – to understand what is required in low-resourced environments. I always say to my colleagues and change advocates working in Africa that together, we are DNAforAfrica! Vanessa Lynch commitment and dedication to their work, I have also seen that they are severely limited in having access to the tools required to fully develop their DNA programs. This all comes down to funding and we are exploring ways in which to help countries in Africa access global funding programs which are dedicated to the prevention and resolution of crimes against humanity, including sexual violence and tra ffi cking in persons through the better utilisation of forensic DNA programs. With the high level of expertise I have found in Africa amongst forensic scientists and practitioners, coupled with their SO, WHAT’S NEXT? We have started developing a ‘DNA toolkit’ for African countries looking to advance their DNA database and infrastructures as well as enact DNA policies and laws to support these efforts. It is our vision that in the next 2-5 years, we will have made a significant impact in Africa where we will see administrations adopting DNA laws, funding their own DNA programs, and ultimately preventing tomorrow’s victims.
Adv.Bonnie Currie-Gamwo with Dr Vanessa Lynch at the UNODC DNA Evidence in GBV Cases held in Tanzania Dec 2022 | Collective Action Magazine
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