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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 21 May 2012 : 20:44:17
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Having "big shots” like Aja Babung Sidibeh on the bandwagon is a boost for GAMCOTRAP on their campaign to eradicate harmful practices in the Gambia. Well done.
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Cultural protagonist supports eradication of FGM in CRR
Monday, May 21, 2012
The power of information using the local languages to change perceptions and attitudes continues to give prominence to the work of the Gamcotrap in the Central River Region. Under the auspices and support of the UNFPA joint programme, 25 community-based facilitators from the Central River Region north benefited from a three-day capacity building workshop to engage in community sensitization and mobilization to protect girls from Female Genital Mutilation.
Accompanied by two other females from the council of elders from Janjanbureh at the opening ceremony, held at the Regional Education Office, cultural protagonist, Aja Babung Sidibehacknowledged the importance of knowledge in changing people’s perceptions and practices.She noted that dialogue raises consciousness to overcome many difficulties.
Aja Babung said “the bangle in your hand should not break your head”, and called on all to spread the information to protect children and women.“We were blind but today we can raise consciousness to save women and children.Both the young and old face the difficulties,” she stated.
Having been exposed to effects of FGM during the capacity building of the community-based facilitators, the longstanding and well known cultural protagonist changed her perception after witnessing the serious effects FGM has on women and girls. She noted that even though she had heard about the campaign, she was never exposed to the harm FGM causes to women.
Hailed from the Sidibeh family in Janjangbureh that is the custodian of both male circumcision and female genital mutilation, Aja Babung Sidibeh has led, organized and maintained the practice that is conducted every five years.
She explains: “When one is ignorant, you cannot act otherwise. I feel touched by the effects.I am the ‘Ngansingba’ and custodian of the female circumcision chamber here. Our culture is celebrated every five years; we have FGM in this community and even our children in the diaspora know when it is time for the cultural practice. They will come and spend time at ‘Tinyang sita’.
Throughout my life, I have sympathy for women and children so from today, I will consult with my council of elders to stop the difficulty women and children face with this practice. My daughter is a nurse and she helps women to deliver. One day she told me ‘Aja, the practice of FGM and the sealing causes difficulty for us (nurses) because women suffer when giving birth. Even though I heard what she said it is only having seen these pictures today that I am totally convinced. I am really touched.”
The Supreme Islamic Council representative in Janjanbureh, Oustass Momodou Lamin Jobarteh led the gathering into prayer and took the opportunity to call on Gamcotrap toaccommodate the criticisms and to be steadfast to achieve its goal, because it is not easy to impart knowledge on to others. He cited a verse from the Holy Quran that says ‘Those who are knowledgeable are different from those who are not.’He also called on the participants to make the best out.
Read full Story
Related story from Daily News:
 Cultural Protagonist Supports the Eradication of FGM in the Central River Region
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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