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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Dec 2009 : 19:07:28
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Well done GAMCOTRAP, you are doing a great job. Gradually the harmful practice will stop in the country.
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Another 60 Circumcisers To Give Up
 Wednesday, 02 December 2009
Following the first Public Declaration against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by eighteen circumcisers in May 2007, a new badge of Sheroines, 60 Circumcisers and 351 communities would give up the practice in the second Public Declaration against FGM, at the Basse Stadium on 5th December 2009, a press release from the GAMCOTRAP stated.
The Public Declaration has very strong support and commitment from traditional rulers and Council of Elders, as well as the Local Government structures across the regions dedicated to the protection of girl children from harmful traditional practices...
Read more at: http://www.thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/another-60-circumcisers-to-give-up
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kiwi
Sweden
662 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2009 : 22:37:19
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| Would it be possible to copy and paste the whole article here? I have had problem with opening The Point´s web site for several months now. Clicking the link (as above) opens a blank page, only the left menu is visible. Clicking the ”Headlines” button opens several headlines, but as only a few lines of each article appears, I am supposed to click the headline to open the article but then there is nothing, just a blank page again. |
kiwi |
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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2009 : 08:47:37
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Kiwi, I guess you are using Internet Explorer 8. You should Click the Compatibility View toolbar button to display the website. Read about Compatibility view at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/features/easier.aspx
Here is the story:
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Another 60 Circumcisers To Give Up
Wednesday, 02 December 2009
Following the first Public Declaration against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by eighteen circumcisers in May 2007, a new badge of Sheroines, 60 Circumcisers and 351 communities would give up the practice in the second Public Declaration against FGM, at the Basse Stadium on 5th December 2009, a press release from the GAMCOTRAP stated.
The Public Declaration has very strong support and commitment from traditional rulers and Council of Elders, as well as the Local Government structures across the regions dedicated to the protection of girl children from harmful traditional practices.
This year's celebration, the release went on, is funded by the UNFPA office in The Gambia and the Inter African committee on Traditional Practices - IAC, in Addis Ababa.
Since 1984, GAMCOTRAP has been engaged in raising the consciousness of communities and professionals on the effects of female genital mutilation on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girl children. Every year, women die of complications associated with child birth, and most of them are related to traditional beliefs and practices that are deeply- rooted in communities. These practices like FGM and early marriage continued to affect maternal and child health, as well as female sexuality.
Over the years, GAMCOTRAP has been complementing government's effort to promote and protect the rights of women and children through consistent grassroots activism and social mobilisation, training and sensitisation activities to raise the consciousness of men and women.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), according to GAMCOTRAP, is a violation of sexual and reproductive health, human rights and a form of violence against women.
"The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) call on states parties to eliminate harmful traditional practices, and the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa explicitly calls on states to prohibit and condemn FGM through awareness creation and enacting of laws in order to eliminate the practice," the release concluded.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Sarata Jabbi-Dibba and Nfamara Jawneh of our Gender Unit will be traveling to Basse for full coverage of this unprecedented event.
Source: The Point Online
Picture: Dr. Isatou Touray
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kiwi
Sweden
662 Posts |
Posted - 03 Dec 2009 : 10:41:05
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Thanks, it´s easy to fix a problem when one knows how to do |
kiwi |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2009 : 22:43:48
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At first glance I appauded this news about FGM however the article seems to be a bit ambiguous in its detail about the significance of the Basse events. For it makes no mention of particular individuals or case studies of what sequence of events actually persuaded these circumcisers to put down their knives.
Some sceptics may ask how many Circumcisers does Basse really have when you consider that it is a specialist task to undertake whether you agree with practice or not only a few people would be able to perform a circumcision. It's not clear why this event is being staged in Basse? Is there more Circumcisors than Doctors there or is this a mutually agreed venue? Where is the transparency in this funding stream and how will these Circumcisors be reintregrated and trained within the community etc.
Lastly this story seems very similiar to what occurred in Senegal roughly 4 years ago however the story seemed to have more authencity to it.
What is needed is more indepth information about this story. The story states 60 Circumciser will give up their knives from 351 communities which is remarkable similiar to what report a few years ago. Maybe if you search the archive Mammadou you'd find it in there it stiil goes back that far.
Peace
Sister Omega
www.sophiasewell-njie.blogspot.com |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 11 Dec 2009 20:10:57 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2009 : 08:50:38
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Government Faces Calls to Legislate Against Female Circumcision
By Saikou Jammeh
Female circumcision appears to be fading in The Gambia, but women’s rights activists still decry government’s failure to provide a law to protect the girl child from being subjected to this ‘harmful traditional practice’.
Two years after 18 circumcisers declared publicly to have voluntarily dropped their genital cutting blades, 60 more and 351 communities followed their example this weekend in Basse, thanks, more to GAMCOTRAP for raising the awareness of the circumcisers to be able to recognize the health, marital and other dangers attributed to the practice.
However, despite these achievements activist are saying that there needs to be put in place a law that will sanction punitive measures against would-be offenders to compliment their awareness creation efforts in a bid to wiping out this deep rooted cultural practice.
“… The clusters and communities who have decided to stop FGM have constituted a strong network against the roving circumcisers,” said Dr. Isatou Touray, the Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP.
“I therefore urge our government to take action against those circumcisers to protect the girl child through the promulgation and effective implementation of a law to protect the girl child.
“With all the conventions signed and ratified by the government of The Gambia, if a law is not put in place these circumcisers will continue to do havoc on innocent Gambian children.
Mrs. Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang, a renowned politician and also the first elected woman parliamentarian pointed out that a bill was introduced in parliament some time ago to ban FGM but failed.
However if the words of NAMs’ representative on the occasion Hon. Bekai Camara, is anything to go by, any bill that seeks to abolish female circumcision in The Gambia will be overwhelmingly passed.
Hon. Bekai Camara pointed out NAMs recognize that the practice is a violation of human rights and efforts to eliminate it should be intensified both at grassroots and decision making levels.
Quoting from a declaration deputies made recently he had this to say: “We, members of the Parliament of The Gambia, who participated in the workshop on the law on female genital mutilation do hereby recognize that it is time for Gambian authorities to promulgate legislation banning all forms of FGM, by punishing anybody who practices it…”.
Source: Daily News |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 11 Dec 2009 : 19:24:22
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I think that it's about time the Gambian Government puts an end to its lip service towards FGM and totally ban this depraved practice. By sending a clear message of Zero tolerance with a hefty fine and automatic 5 years hard labour jail where Offenders would be retrained to stop reverting to the practice when they came out.
It would be prudent for the Gambian Government's to take responsibility for heighten public awareness in partnership with NGO's and to attract private sponsorship to put an end to this harmful practice. A culture of Zero tolerance is the only way to stamp out this terrible practice. A whistle blowing strategy could be faciliated through a confidential helpline by Gamtel or Gamcel under Gamcotrap or another NGO to assist girls under threat. This information can be disseminated amongst schools so that girls can be made aware of the consequences to their health and the lives of their children in the future. By calling a free phone number many more children can be saved from unneccessary misery premature deaths.
Peace Sister Omega
www.sophiasewell-njie.blogspot.com |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 11 Dec 2009 20:10:02 |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2009 : 17:47:46
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I am not sure that laws from above will change anything.
Many Gambian women are SUPPORTERS of FGM. They need to be educated against it. It takes brave women to stand up against traditional practice. Their children risk being isolated and unable to marry. That is the fear.
Education, education, education. That is what will make the difference. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 12 Dec 2009 : 17:52:15
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| I would love to be in Gambia at the same time as you! |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2009 : 01:47:40
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Well you never know Bev maybe one day we'll meet each other in Gambia and visit each others projects.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 22:20:05
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A Rite of Passage
Care needs be taken not to throw the baby with the birthwater
Cutting body-part(s) is indefensible, outrageous, and unacceptable and should end without delay. But, let’s not forget that is just one phase of the initiation process, there are many other functions to “initiation” than just the surgical procedure. The teaching of young mothers aspects of womanhood is another phase amongst other qualifications not trained or learnt in any other social institution.
Circumcision is a “rite of passage” that enhances the social competence, status and a bridge between childhood and maturity. These functions should not be abandoned and I hope or rather wish, there are considerations to preserve parts of the initiation process like dances, songs, rhythms, food, hairstyle, décor and especially the fellowship. There are other cultural values passed on to coming generations through the event which are part of what constitutes the cultural institution and has functions beyond the framework of the initiation event. It would be dishonour, an unrecoverable lost to society if the whole ceremonial and cultural values disappears as well. |
Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
Edited by - Janko on 20 Dec 2009 22:21:46 |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 30 Dec 2009 : 02:50:09
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quote:
The teaching of young mothers aspects of womanhood is another phase amongst other qualifications not trained or learnt in any other social institution.
...a “rite of passage” that enhances the social competence, status and a bridge between childhood and maturity. These functions should not be abandoned and I hope or rather wish, there are considerations to preserve parts of the initiation process like dances, songs, rhythms, food, hairstyle, décor and especially the fellowship. There are other cultural values passed on to coming generations through the event which are part of what constitutes the cultural institution and has functions beyond the framework of the initiation event. It would be dishonour, an unrecoverable lost to society if the whole ceremonial and cultural values disappears as well.
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Janko thanks for the above. I totally agree with what you've said, and that it is indeed very important for the pastoral aspects of the rites of passage be continued without surgical removal of gentila.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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