Time to “Drop the Knife” for FMG in The Gambia

Circumcisers in the Gambia publicly declaring that they have abandoned the practice of FGM. Credit: Saikou Jammeh/IPSBy Saikou JammehBANJUL, Jul 13 2014 (IPS) Women’s rights activists in the Gambia are insisting that more than 30 years of campaigning to raise awareness should be sufficient to move the government to outlaw female genital mutilation (FMG). The practice remains widespread in this tiny West African country of 1.8 million people, but rights activists believe that their campaign has now reached the tipping point. Two years ago, GAMCOTRAP, an apolitical non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to the promotion and protection of women and girl children’s political, social, sexual, reproductive health and educational rights in The Gambia, and one of the groups behind the anti-FGM campaign, sponsored a draft bill which has been subjected to wide stakeholder consultations. Several previous attempts to legislate against FGM have failed, with no fewer than three pro-women laws having had clauses on FGM removed from draft bills. But activists now appear determined to make the final push and hope that when introduced this time round, the bill will go through.“We’ve caused lots of suffering to our women ... if my grandparents had known what I know today, they would not have circumcised anyone. Ignorance was the problem” – former circumciser Babung Sidibeh The time has now come for final action, says Amie Bensouda, legal consultant for the draft bill. “Ther...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Africa Editors' Choice Education Gender Gender Violence Headlines Health Human Rights Population Religion Women's Health Circumcision female genital mutilation FGM Gambia GAMCOTRAP Islam Ministry of Women’s Affairs Re Source Type: news