By Aji Fatou Jammeh
Every year February 6th is observed as International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia. This year’s theme is ‘Her voice, her future’.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, spearheads the commemoration activities in the country.
Gambia Daily interacted with scores of Gambians who have added their voices to the fight against FGM.
In her contribution, Jaha Dukureh, a social activist and renowned anti-FGM campaigner, said that they are committing themselves to implement laws that are against the practice, and challenged government to implement those laws.
She reported that globally there are over 200 million women who are affected by the practice of FGM.
While calling on everyone to join the fight, Ms Janha reaffirmed her commitment to end the practice. “If a girl is mutilated she might be infected or have problems when giving birth,” she said.
Dr Isatou Touray, of Gamcotrap said the practice is an abuse violating the reproductive rights of girls.
She argued that it is misinterpreted not only among Muslims but also among Christians do.
Adam Janneh, a market vendor, described FGM as a terrible practice, as is unhealthy.
She lamented the fact that women who went through FGM encountered lot of difficulties during childbirth. She too argued that the practice is not a religious obligation.
Fanta Jatta-Sowe, women’s rights programme specialist said FGM is a cultural practice and mostly done on women and young girls. She said she belongs to a tribe that believes and practices it but being a person of health background and also learning about the consequences of FGM, “I know it is a practice that has no health benefit for women and girls and its consequences affect women’s reproductive and sexual rights”.
Dagga Jallow, a traditional birth attendant attested that FGM leads to lots of difficulties such as diseases and even loss of life.
Aji Rohey Bah, a student, said FGM hinders the development of the society in general; that it is a very harmful practice that needs to be wiped out.
Mrs. Sainabu Njie paid homage to the work of young Gambians in the struggling to end FGM and urged more people to join the fight “so that we can have a world that is free from FGM and other harmful practices to women and young girls”.