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Momodou
Denmark
11823 Posts |
 Posted - 27 May 2010 : 11:03:35
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Gamcotrap Launch Three Year Programme To Eradicate FMG by 2012
By Amie Sanneh
26-05-10
The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) on Monday launched a three year partnership project for 2010-2012 with save the Children-Sweden and UNIFEM at the Paradise Suites Hotel.
The aim of the project amongst others is to create a favourable environment for the implementation of programmes aiming at eradicating Female Genital Mutilation in the Gambia by 2012 through “Rights” Education. The project will be targeting the Kombos in the Western Region where the practice of FGM is high.
Officially launching the project on behalf of the Ministry of Health, the Deputy Permanent Secretary Alhagie Omar Sey expressed concern over the high practice of FGM in Western Region. He said that though a lot has been done in the fight against FGM, 84 percent of the families in Western Region want their children to undergo FGM. DPS Sey expressed hope that with the launching of this project the situation will reverse. He commended the efforts of Gamcotrap in the fight against FGM in country which is being recognised outside the country.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the UN family, the UNICEF Acting Representative Meritxel Relane, described the project as significant in the lives of children in the country. This according to her will equip communities with the right information to address traditional practices that affect the health and rights of women and children such as FGM and early marriage. Madam Relano revealed that the third Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) from 2005/6 estimates the prevalence rate of FGM at 78.3% nationally.
“Early or forced marriage, like FGM/C is considered a human rights violation,” she said. The girls affected she added are often not allowed to give their free and full consent to marriage, while many are not mature to make informal decisions on who they want as a life partner.
Madam Relano said that early or forced marriage conversely compromises girls’ development especially in terms of education. It is also a contribution she added.
She noted that both FGM and early marriage contributes considerably to material and child mortality and morbidity in the Gambia. “Figures from MICS III, for material, stood at an estimated 730 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005, while infant and under five mortality rates are at 93 and 131 per 100 live births,” said the Acting Unicef Rep.
The project she added will contribute to putting mechanisms in place for the prevention of harmful traditional practices. This she went on is a direct contributing factor to priority Areas 1 and 2 of the UNDAF, on the establishment of social protection systems and the provision of Basic social services to address some of the economic and social problems faced by people in the Gambia.
The expected outcome of this project will contribute to the reduction of materials and infant mortality. She said that it will also increase girls at secondary and higher education levels and also positive behaviour in targeted communities towards harmful traditional practices.
The Executive Director of Gamcotrap Dr. Isatou Touray in her welcoming remarks highlighted the positive gains of her organisation in the fight against FGM. She said in May 2007 they led a movement for change with the first public declaration ever held in the Gambia of 18 Circumcisers from 63 communities at a dropping of the knife celebration. This she went on was followed by a second public declaration involving 60 circumcisers and 351 communities in December 2001.
She said that it is as a result of sustained advocacy, community awareness and dialogue that more communities are beginning to see the need for intervention to protect woman and children.
The project which will target Western Region particularly the Kombos, Dr. Touray said is a strategic location that requires tremendous efforts to address the growing concerns of the prevalence of FGM. “While many have undergone the practice, a lot more remains vulnerable of undergoing FGM,” she said.
The Western Region she went on has been mapped into clusters to be able to strategically and systematically implement the project in the Kombos successfully.
She expressed gratitude do UNIFEM and save the children to accelerate and upscale the works on the elimination of FMG.
Source: Foroyaa Online
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