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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Feb 2010 : 15:13:58
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Enlightenment is the key and gradually all "Nyansingbas" will lay down the knives. Well done GAMCOTRAP.
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Another Circumciser Drops the Knife
By Abdoulie Bah
Another female circumciser in Wassu, Central River Region has joined the growing number of female circumcisers (otherwise called "Nyansingba" in Mandinka) who have vowed to stop the practice of female circumcision.
Nakebba Fofana is among over 100 village elders, including Imams and Alkalos, drawn from nine communities in Wassu, who have declared "never" to circumcise their girl children, a press release from GAMCOTRAP states.
The elders rose to denounce the practice they have so cherished practicing for so long, at the end of a workshop organised by GAMCOTRAP, during which they were exposed to the harm this act causes to bodies of women – both sexual and reproductive wise.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Isatou Touray, the Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP said the aim of the programme is for the people of the region to support the abandonment of harmful traditional practices in particular, Female Genital Mutilation and domestic violence.
She informed them that the Gambia’s participation at the Commission on the Status of Women New York tells the country’s commitment to global call and convention geared toward improving the lives of women.
"States parties are responding to protect women and girls from FGM by enacting a law against the practice", she added, noting The Gambia is no exception as National Assembly members have equally expressed their resolve to fight against all forms of female circumcision by passing a law against it.
Dr. Touray called on the parents to discipline their children to be responsible citizen, while imploring on couples’ dialogue on issue affecting women.
The Alkalo of Madina Lamin Kanteh, Faburama Kanteh, who spoke on behalf of the Chief of Niani, thanked GAMCOTRAP for such a campaign to stop FGM in their districts. He said it was the first time they were exposed to any form of training on the effects of FGM on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, calling on their traditional leaders to support the campaign.
Islamic scholars, Muhammed Sanuwo and Abubacarr Kanteh also enlightened the participants about Islam and the debate on FGM and women’s rights in general. They added that it was noted that Islam promotes equality and partnership between men and women, thus created them in pairs.
Source: DailyNews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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