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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
 Posted - 08 May 2007 : 16:07:47
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This article is from the Observer Today. I hope most of us who were debating on the topic before about Gambia will have the facit now.
Mansasulu and the others who supported FMG in the Gambia have a task now to convince people to go back to this horrible act.
What are your reactions about this toipc?
GAMCOTRAP HONOURS 18 ex-CIRCUMCISERS
Hundreds of people on Saturday gathered at the Independence Stadium to witness the certificate and insignia award ceremony, organised in honour of 18 ex-circumcisers and their communities, as part of the landmark achievement of The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) to stop Female Genital Mutilation and other harmful traditional practices.
The award ceremony and celebration that was marked in a grand style, attracted people from different walks of life, including Secretaries of State, MP’s, members of the diplomatic and counsular corp, religious leaders, UN agences, school children and Jaliba Kuyateh.
Speaking at the occasion Dr Tamsir Mbowe, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare deputising for the Vice President Dr aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, said the celebration is a mark of increasing maturity to the values and taboos surrounding Gamcotrap, he noted that our indigenenous culture is held a high esteem in some quaters, but the surgical aspects of it have attributed to causal factors of some health hardzards.
Dr Tamsir Mbowe added that the decision to abondon FGM due to health concerns is indeed commendable. He empasized that this should not extend to the denigration of it because it has been identified as part of the process of socialization, adding that this achievement has been made possible by the true spirit of cross-cultural tolerance which is the hallmark of participitory democracy. He comended GAMCOTRAP for their promotion of a democratic culture and development orientation of their work as indicated by piloting with the concerned circumcisers on alternative employment opportunities.
He expressed delight for GAMCOTRAP’s linkage with the relevant institutions in governance, the private sector, civil society organisations, UN agaences and the diplomatic community. These linkages have been contributory factors in the progress registered in advocacy for the benefit of women and children. "This integrated approach has enhanced and complimented the government’s ability to live up to expectations in terms of social, political, economic and cultural responsibilities," he stated.
Dr Mbowe expressed gratitude to his department and GAMCOTRAP for rasing awareness of certain communities to enable them to critically assess the dangers of female circumcision.
For her part, Dr Isatou Touray, the executive director of GAMCOTRAP, said not to cut is a very positive step, adding it makes girls beautiful and proud in their communities. " Culture is beautiful when it is positive," she stated.
Dr Touray said it was a challenge, but they were able to register this achievement through positive dialogue. She commended the government and other partners for their support which enabled them to achieve this success. Dr Touray thanked women for dropping their knives for circumcising girls.
Dr Nestor Shivuti World Healh Organisation representative said the complication of FGM that includes severe pain, bleeding, urine retention, ulceration of the genital region and injury of adjecent tissues can result in death, adding that WHO maintains that FGM is deterious to the health of women and children. He revaealed that 2 million people, the majority of whom are girls, subjected to FGM are at risk, adding that it is recognised as a form of violence against women and children. He said it is an obstacle to the attainment of the global development and human rights for women.
Dr Nestor Shivuti noted that FGM can be eliminated through the existing primary healh care programmes.
Ame David, Programme Coordinator of Save the Children Dakar branch, said Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of children’s rights, that is why they are finacing NGO’s to fight FGM in Africa for the past 25 years. She commended GAMCOTRAP for their tireless efforts and sacrifices they made to make ex-circumcisers realise the danger in FGM and other traditional harmful practices. Ms David lauded government for creating the enabling environment for women to stop FGM. She said this manifests government concerns for its citizens’ health.
She further urged parents to educate children on sexual reproductive health, adding Save the Children is ready to support children in any possible alternative for better living condition.
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mansasulu
997 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 16:12:32
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Alhassan, I do not support FGM. What I do support is Female Circumcision. I dont think you understand what is at play here. Amie Bojang and co have succeeded in making you believe that FGM and Female Circumcision are the same, when in essence, they are not.
Afterall, what credibility does a Pseudo Dr. (Tamsir Mbowe)who supports an AIDs cure that cannot be authenticated have. I am against mutilation of any form because under islamic law, it is haram. The same cannot be said of circumcision. |
"...Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest..." Sura Al-Rad (Chapter 13, Verse 28)
...Gambian by birth, Muslim by the grace of Allah... |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 16:50:20
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i attend a dinnner given in honour of gamcotrap to put forward why the female circumcisers should drop the knife, it was well presented, all the practioners were knowledgeable but they never knew the what happened when they practice circumcisation, but wanted to drop the knife.
The head of Gamcotrap was at pains to point out that it had no placed in today's world but keep the ceremony.
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jun 2007 : 21:38:11
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Alhassan, thank you for putting in this article. It is good to know that the Gambian government is at least trying to influence public opinion so as to make people aware of the risks of FGM.
Jambo, if only the ceremony would be kept - can you tell us what the ceremony consists of? |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2007 : 12:47:19
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music, drumming, dance, food, a rights of passage ceremony. I am not sure if the elder women get involved, but it is a village event.
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2007 : 18:42:40
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| Music, dance and food - nobody would object to those. But rites of passage are you talking about? |
When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2007 : 22:29:05
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The girls spend time in the bush with the elder women. Traditionally that is the healing time. I am not sure whatelse happens as it is shrouded in mystery. But the cutting could be replaced with discussions about being a women and what to expect from periods and sex and child birth etc... I envisage this as a rite of passage around 11/12 years old. Not a 4 or 5 year old.
In the UK for christians this was traditionally the time of being confirmed to the church. It seems that most societies feel a need to mark the passage from childhood to adulthood. This is usually by the age of 13. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2007 : 22:57:47
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Congratulations GAMCOTRAP for a giant leap in the right direction. Let's hope these 18 ex-CIRCUMCISERS will create a future trend which resigns FGM to a bygone age.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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