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| Dr Touray speaking at the event |
As The World celebrates International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation, GAMCOTRAP believed it should not be tolerated for any reason
The girl's child body should be preserving and protected from all harmful traditional practices and FGM should not be practice in the name of Islam says Dr Isatou Touray, executive director of GAMCOTRAP, a right base NGO for women working in the area of women's health in Gambia.
Even though some religious leader has described the practice as a Islamic obligation, Dr Touray said it is not ordain by the Quran as most leaders claim.
At a spectacular event to commemorate the 10th International Day of Zero Tolerance against FGM held at Gamcotrap's hall in Kanifing, on 6th February 2013, Dr Touray said her organisation is celebrating it to raise more awareness about the practice.
"130 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM and 30 million are at risk and it should not be practice on the girl child in the name of Islam to maintain the practice" she said
The practice has become a global problem which requires immediate targeted solutions, and according to Dr Touray, her organisation is committed to the elimination of FGM in The Gambia, "Gamcotrap has joins 28 other sister organizations in Africa, 17 Affiliates outside of Africa, International Communities and partners throughout the world to mark this anniversary of International Zero Tolerance to FGM Day" she said
Women leader, Imams and Akalos were not left behind to mark this important day. It turned out a moment filled with emotions during the celebration, when they all denounce the practice of FGM. They have agreed that the practice is a harmful practice and violation of the human rights of girls and women.
Consequences of FGM
The practice refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
"As we celebrate we must mark the significance of the day in the bid to protect and preserve the bodily integrity and dignity of women and the girl-child from all forms of harmful traditional practices," she said "Communities and individuals continue to call for a law to protect girls from FGM. Their calls have been getting louder as most of them have been exposed to the dangers of FGM and saw the need for adults to take responsibility towards the protection of children against the practice,"
Women said they made the decision to stop the practice after understanding that FGM was harmful and had negative impact on the lives of women, "I now know FGM is a social norms and cultural practices which should be stop to protect the rights of women and girls. It is beautiful to see your child grow healthier" said one of the women, Sainabou Faye
Imams also at the celebration condemn the Practice of FGM, saying it is against Quranic teachings and will fully support implementation of all FGM related laws.
Gamcotrap's Efforts
Gamcotrap over the years has been very active and effective in the promotion of women and children’s rights particularly as they relate to female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other discriminatory practices.
GAMCOTRAP is one of the leading organisations working in the area of women and girl’s empowerment, FGM and other harmful practices that affect the lives and circumstances of women and girls in the Gambia. GAMCOTRAP’s years of struggle and countless efforts have contributed significantly to the development of women and girls in the Gambia and elsewhere and has led to over 100( one hundred ) circumcisers dropping their knives publicly and abandoning the practice.
Author: By Binta A Bah
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