Women's Bantabaa

Unsafe Abortion rips-off Africa of its adolescents and young women

2013-05-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

The Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) in partnership with IPAS Africa Alliance– an organization protecting women’s health and advancing women’s reproductive rights in collaboration with Equal Now African region organized a two day workshop on unsafe abortion at the Hilton hotel in Nairobi, Kenya from the 7^th - 8^thMay 2013. The workshop brought together about thirty civil society organizations from the African continent. The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP), one of SOAWR’s members was in attendance and was represented by Senior Programme Coordinator, Mary Small.

The purpose of the workshop was to sensitise participants on the upsurge of consequences of unsafe abortion and its effects on the health and lives of African women. According to the 2010 estimates on maternal mortality and morbidity, the sub-Saharan African and South Asia contributed 86% of deaths; vast majority of which are due to preventable causes that need minimal cost to address. In Africa alone “25% of all unsafe abortions in Africa, are among adolescents aged 15 to 19 and about 60% among young women under 25 years” (Women’s health, WHO-2009).

The workshop also empowered participants to advocate for women to access safe abortion (according to the Law of the country) particularly within the context of the AU Protocol on Women and other women’s instruments agreed upon by States.

The meeting noted that reducing the burden of maternal deaths due to unsafe abortion and realizing women’s rights to reproductive health is within reach in the African region and this has been addressed in regional treaties and agreements including the African Protocol on Women and the Maputo Plan of Action on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

Several international Human Rights treaties and the global conferences on women in the 90’s all recognize unsafe abortion as a critical health hazard and a human rights issue. The AU Protocol on the rights of Women in Africa, Article 14 Para 2(c) states “Protect the reproductive rights of women by authorizing medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest, and where the continued pregnancy endangers the mental and physical health of the mother or the life of the mother or the foetus.”

The Nairobi meeting also discussed other international and regional policy frameworks on reproductive health, including CEDAW, ICPD, and Vienna Human Rights Conference, which resulted in the declaration– ‘that women’s rights are human rights’. Other commitments to women such as the Beijing Conference, Millennium Development Goals have been reference for workshop participants in the bid to reduce maternal mortality by 75% by 2015, a vision which could be far reaching.

Yet African leaders through the AU continue to show political commitment at their government’s level to promote and protect the right to health in a series of international, regional and continental legal protocols and declarations. Another demonstration of high level political will to protect women from unsafe abortion is the launching of the Campaign on the Acceleration of Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa- CARMMA in 2010 to reduce unsafe abortions that contribute to 40% of maternal deaths in Africa. The Gambia is part of the 38 member states that took part in this continental initiative.

Socio-economic, political, and legal issues continue to determine the lives of women in Africa and elsewhere. Women’s bodies are sites of dispute and instruments of conflict and abuse. They are subjected to all forms of sexual abuse including rape, unwanted and unplanned pregnancies. Yet they are perceived as the perpetrators of the abuse or simply they have to be blamed for what happens to them and their bodies. Such has been the concerns of women’s rights activists in Africa and other concerned stakeholders who have realized that women’s bodies are sites of controversy, abuse and neglect.

MFWA Director Charge Ghana Police to Prosecute Bodyguards for locking up Journalists

2013-05-10T00:46:00.003-07:00

The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has charged the Ghana Police Service to act swiftly to arrest and prosecute bodyguards for locking up four Ghanaian journalists in a church.

The men believed to be bodyguards of Prophet T.B Joshua, Founder and Overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), on May 7, 2013 detained four journalists belonging to Accra-based media organisations for several hours, a statement from MFWA stated.

The journalists were locked up in a room at the church premises located at the Spintex Road, a suburb of Accra, the capital according to the statement. It took the intervention of a police officer identified as Supt. Alex Kumankani, before the journalists were released.

“People cannot take the law into their own hands and maltreat journalists in that manner so the police must come in quickly and arrest and prosecute them immediately,” he told Adom FM.

The four, Emmanuel Anteh and Gilbert Azu, reporter and cameraman respectively of privately-owned Multi-TV, and Abdul Wahab Giwah and Seth Yeboah, cameramen of privately-owned Net 2 Television were accosted by the bodyguards while covering vehicular traffic and a large crowd that had gathered at the church premises in wait of the visiting Prophet.

One of the journalists, Anteh told Adom FM, that the bodyguards tried to seize their camera and locked them in a room where the reporters of Net 2 TV were already being held. They were filming the crowd when the bodyguards approached them and invited them into the church.

“This unlawful detention of the journalists has been met with wide public condemnation with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) demanding an immediate investigation into the matter, adding that the law is not a respecter of any person irrespective of spiritual pedigree or social status.” The release further stated.

According to MFWA, this brings to two, assaults against journalists within the last two weeks. On April 25, 2013, a reporting crew from privately-owned Metro Television was physically assaulted while their camera was destroyed at Spintex Road by Mrs. Maria Djentuh, an estate owner, when they went to cover a confrontation between her (Mrs. Djentuh) and the residents of the estate.

“This trend of attacks on journalists by individuals must be curbed. The MFWA, therefore, calls on journalists associations and groups to pursue these cases to ensure that investigations are actually conducted and the findings are made public so that appropriate redress or legal actions could be pursued” it ends.

Ghana is one of the countries that repeal its laws on sedition and criminal libel. Journalists have enjoyed the unfettered media rights in the country.

Ex-Embattled Jammeh & Co. Case Set For Trial

2013-05-03T09:14:00.001-07:00

Hearing will begin in the trial of ex-embattled director general of National Drug Enforcement Agency NDEA together with three top officials come May 13, 2013.

Benedict Jammeh, ex-NDEA PRO Abdoulie Ceesay, Foday Barry, former director of Intelligence and Investigations at Holgam of the NDEA and Commissioner Yusupha Jatta, former head of the NDEA in the West Coast Region are on trial in Banjul at the High Court.

It’s barely 72 hours, when Benedict and his co-accused denied 45 counts of economic crime, false publication, false information, abuse of office, and fabricating evidence.

When the case resume yesterday, May 2, all the accuse pleaded not guilty on the remaining 45 counts, making it 90 counts.

They are accused of extracting monies from the 38, 500 Euros recovered, which they used for organizing a party for their operatives, which monies should have been tendered as exhibits to the court.

The charges further alleged that the accused persons gave false information to the Office of the President and the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) that one Assan Touray was wanted for drug-related offences.

They are also said to have fabricated evidence that Abdurahman Touray of Pristine Company was wanted in The Gambia for drug-related offences in which they preferred criminal charges against him and presented it to the Gambia Police Force which was later found to be false.

The indictments further accused them of unlawfully terminating and dismissing the services of twenty (20) NDEA officers without authority, while in office as public officers.

Which allegations they all denied

Benedict Jammeh was appointed as NDEA director general in 2010 after the removal of IbrahimBun Sanneh who is currently serving his sentence at the mile 2 central prison. Jammeh has also served as NIA director general in 2008, Inspector General of Police in 2007.

Author: Binta A Bah

Gambia and Ethiopia Are among the nations holding journalists in jail

2013-05-03T07:46:00.002-07:00

As the world celebrates world press freedom day today May 3, there are lot of journalist in Africa who are behind bars and others killed for carrying their responsibilities’ to the public.

At least 41 African journalists will spend World Press Freedom Day imprisoned in direct reprisal for their work, according to a letter sent to the African Union on the celebration of world press freedom day.

“.It is particularly disturbing that Ethiopia and the Gambia, which host offices of the African Union, are among the nations holding journalists in jail” it stated.

In bid to protect and promote freedom of the press,The Committee to Protect Journalists has asks NkosazanaDlaminiZuma, chairperson of the African Union, to uphold press freedom by calling for justice in journalist murders in Africa and for the release of all imprisoned journalists.

In letter addressed to H.E. NkosazanaDlaminiZuma Addis chairperson of the African Union asked the AUto mark World Press Freedom by calling for the release of all journalists imprisoned in Africa and appealing for justice in the murders of journalists killed in the line of duty?

“These imprisonments have silenced important voices, often in contravention of regional and international rulings” it further stated

“The Gambia, home to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, is in violation of rulings by the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States and the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in connection with the 2007 arrest of journalist Ebrima "Chief" Manneh” it stated adding, “These entities found Manneh's detention to be unlawful, and they called for his immediate release. Alarmingly, Gambian authorities cannot account for Manneh's whereabouts, and over the years have given evasive and inconsistent responses to regional and international inquiries”.

According to the CPJ research, more than 80 journalist murders have gone unsolved in Africa since 1992, and these killings are often politically motivated.

“critical journalists are not criminals, traitors, or terrorists. Beyond supporting African journalists with training, the African Union should create an open political space that allows news media to report on issues of public interest. Vibrant, independent media that hold government leaders to account are a valuable ally in the pursuit of development and good governance. We urge you to use your office to persuade member states to comply with the letter and spirit of conventions they have signed that uphold press freedom.” It ends

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) will also mark the World Press Freedom Day today the 3^rd of May 2013. The celebrations will take a form of a procession from the Africal Building and terminate at the TANGO conference hall and Union shall hold a talk on a local theme “Policy Dialogue on Freedom of Expression”

Author: Binta A Bah

Benedict Jammeh & Co. Pleaded Not Guilty on 45 Criminals Counts But….

2013-05-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

The former director general and public relation officer of National Drug Enforcement Agency has denied charges of economic crimes, false information among others.

But accused persons only pleaded not guilty on 45 counts out of the 90 counts because the defense counsels request for an adjournment to attend other matters.

Benedict Jammeh, alongside ex-NDEA PRO Abdoulie Ceesay, Foday Barry, former director of Intelligence and Investigations at Holgam of the NDEA and Commissioner Yusupha Jatta, former head of the NDEA in the West Coast Region are facing 90 counts of economic crime, false publication, false information, abuse of office, and fabricating evidence at the High Court in Banjul.

The accused persons are alleged to have, extracted from the monies recovered from the 38, 500 Euros and the local currency amounting to D6, 000. They accuse persons are also accuse of organising a party for their operatives, which monies should have been tendered as exhibits to the court.

The indictments further accused them of unlawfully terminating and dismissing the services of twenty (20) NDEA officers without authority, while in office as public officers.

Which allegations they all denied

They were earlier arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates Court, and charged with eleven counts, which included economic crime before the case was transferred to the High Court.

At the time of taking their plea, lawyer Badou Conteh for the 1^st accused and lawyer E. Jah who was holding brief on behalf of the second accused argued that count three and four were the same and urged the court to strike it. But, it was dismissed by the presiding judge, Justice Abdulahi Mikaili.

Jammeh and Ceesay are on bail in the sum of five million dalasi whilst ex-commissioner Jatta is on bail on two million dalasi.

Author: Binta .A. Bah

Gambians Warn To Stop Skype, Viber Dating Services in Internet Cafes

2013-04-20T07:28:00.001-07:00

Skype and Viber users will no longer used dating services in internet cafes because they have been warned to immediately desist from doing so.

A release from Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has made it known to the public that such practices are not authorized.

PURA is legally empowered to “determine, review, approve, modify or refuse the tariff and the terms and conditions of service provided by licensee.

But according to them, the barred is in a bid to protect the country’s national interest. They said the public should report any suspicious activities to them by calling.

“It abundantly clear that the offering of International and National Calling Services within Internet Cafes using VoIP services (Viber, Skype, etc) is strictly prohibited. Anyone who is engaged in this activity is depriving the country of the much needed revenue from International and National calls, required for the development of The Gambia” it stated.

Many interenet users in the Gambia prefer using Skype to communicate on daily basis especially in internet cafes. And this ban does not go well with many who heard the news. For many it’s the easiest way to communicate.

Author: Binta A Bah

Gambia ALERT: Government passes stiff law on false information

2013-04-19T07:08:00.000-07:00

The National Assembly of The Gambia on April 16, 2013, amended sections of the country’s Criminal Code to empower the Courts to mete out stiffer punishments to persons found guilty of giving false information to public officials.

The new law which is an amendment to Section 114 of the country’s Criminal Code, empowers the Courts to impose a jail term of five years or a fine of Fifty Thousand Dalasis (about USD1,650) for a misdemeanour that previously attracted a jail term of not more than six months or Five Hundred Dalasis (about USD17).

According to the MFWA sources, apart from the stiffer punishments, the new law also classifies the President, Vice President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of the National Assembly as public officers.

The latest classification approved by the National Assembly is, however, inconsistent with Section 166 (4) of the country’s Constitution which does not recognise these officials as public officers.

The minority members in parliament opposed the new law describing it as draconian, controversial and inconsistent with the Constitution, the sources said.

The offence of giving false information to a public servant has long been considered draconian and inconsistent with certain provisions of the country’s Constitution as well as provisions of other International and Regional Treaties to which Gambia is a signatory.

The Gambian government has for many years weighed down citizens and the media with laws that criminalize speech, such as publication of false information, seditious libel and criminal defamation just to cow them from being critical of the government and its policies.

Over the past decade, the MFWA has reported many cases where the Yahya Jammeh-led government has through the application of these laws forced many citizens and journalists into exile, arbitrarily detained or disappeared.

This law has been passed at a time that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is holding its 53^rd Ordinary Session in the capital, Banjul. A large number of African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) recently petitioned the ACHPR to relocate from the Gambia, in protest against the perpetually poor human rights record of the country.

As a sequel to the several NGOs who boycotted the ongoing session of the ACHPR we call on the leadership and participants at the session to speak out against the massive violations in The Gambia and also petition President Jammeh to annul the new amendment.

Sierra Leone ALERT: President orders withdrawal of Afri Radio’s broadcast license

2013-04-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

Afri Radio, a privately-owned radio station on April 12, 2013 had its broadcast license withdrawn by the statutory media regulatory body, the Independent Media Commission (IMC), following an alleged order from President Ernest Bai Koroma.

The decision to ban the radio station came after “various meetings held with state authorities … on the issuance of (Afri Radio’s) broadcast license” explained the IMC.

According to the Media Foundation for West (MFWA)’s correspondent, President Koroma, during a meeting with officials of the National Telecommunications Commission on April 9, 2013 reportedly ordered the Chairman of the IMC, Rod MacJohnson, to immediately suspend the broadcasting license of Afri Radio.

According to the correspondent, the IMC Chairman had initially refused a similar directive from the Minister of Information and Communications, Alhaji Alpha Kanu to suspend Afri Radio’s broadcasting license on the basis that the Minister did not have any authority under the IMC Act of 2000 to order the suspension.

According to local reports, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Frank Kargbo, had also in a letter dated April 10, expressed concern and refused to order the IMC to carry out the Minister’s directive, arguing that the IMC is the only body with the mandate to ban the radio station.

“According to Kargbo, the IMC is an independent agent in the performance of its functions and is competent and capable of knowing how to respond to the advice given to it by the Minister of Information and Communications. If the advice was taken seriatim, it will lead to substantial procedural defects which in principle and in law contravenes the IMC Act of 2000”, the correspondent reported.

The circumstances surrounding Radio Afri’s suspension has stunned majority of Sierra Leoneans, particularly President Koroma’s directive and this has raised questions about the independence of the IMC.

The MFWA calls on President Koroma and his government to respect the independence of the IMC, and allow it to carry out its regulatory mandate under the Act that established it as advised by the State Attorney.

Source: MFWA

CRR Women Slams On Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) As Harmful and Surrender Knives

2013-04-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

women dropping their once much-treasure tools-the FGM knives

It was a moment filled with emotions under the sunny afternoon in historical village of Wassu, North of Central River Region, where 30 once-committed women mutilators publically rose up to denounce the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and surrender their sharp knives, knives they use to mutilate young girls and ladies with.

The first ever in the region, women danced to the rhythm of the drums and the melodious tunes of traditional music as they denounce FGM, and promised never to go back to what they described as harmful.

The colorfully dressed women, paraded themseves with their hands raised up in front of the guests including the governor and other traditional leaders of the area. These includes Community groups, religious leaders, local leaders, FGM survivors, youth groups, ex-cutters and individual activists and European delegates in the country and one by one, they lay on the ground their once much-treasured tools – the FGM knives.

This spectacular event took place during the fourth ‘dropping of the knife’ held at Wassu on 13^th April 2013. Many women, village heads and chiefs had travelled many kilometers from other parts if the country to the venue to take part in the event.

Amidst cheers from the crowd, the 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 and girls. One woman said I was educated about the negative consequences of FGM by GAMCOTRAP, a women’s right organization that fight and create awareness about the dangers of cutting women/girls; and advocate for change in attitudes towards a culture that is supportive of the social and economic empowerment of women and girls.

Girld dressed in traditional Gambian costume

Since most of these women earn a living from the act, GAMCOTRAP provides alternative sources of income for them by facilitating the creation of small-scale business ventures.

Dressed uniformly in traditional Gambian costume, girls were seated on the ground to demonstrate the traditional practice. The day-long programme also witnessed the performance of Kora maestro, Jaliba Kuyateh and handing out certificates to chiefs, alkalolus, and health centers in CRR.

“This day does not only make me realized my mistakes but has teach me to take up another trade to protect innocent young-girls’,” said one of the ex-cutters, Kumba Mbowe.

Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP, described the day as bigger than the moment. It signifies the giant community to say no to FGM

“When people are empowered they demand their rights. It is the beginning of a change” she said.

Dr Touray speaking at the 'dropping of the knife' ceremony

UNFPA funded both third and the fourth dropping of the knives. “We have come a long way in the struggle to abandon FGM and will not relent” said Fatou Kinteh, The National Programme Officer responsible for Gender and FGM programme at UNFPA. “It is not easy for individuals and communities to abandon A DEEP ROOTED traditional practice which is over hundred years old, but with continuous and persistent engagement, GAMCOTRAP can make it”

There is no law for the abandonment of FGM in the Gambia, but according to the regional director of health in CRR, FGM is a serious concern for the government of the Gambia. Jankubeh Jabbi deputized for the minister of health who was supposed to attend the ceremony on behalf of president Jammeh.

He said women who had undergone the practice are likely to suffer during childbirth. He said to end maternal mortality, there is need to take action to end FGM and gender violence.

“The dropping of the knife celebrated at Wassu is a signal to the ultimate abandonment of FGM in the Gambia’ he said, the event marks a celebration that has given people the confidence and belief that change is a possible in our communities”

Author: By Binta A Bah

It’s All Tradition to Me

2013-04-12T03:02:00.000-07:00

30 women circumcisers have vowed to stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). So, has Gamcotrap’s campaign to eradicate this deep-seated cultural practice been a success so far? Binta A Bah reports

The Gambia has ratified and signed international and regional instruments on all forms of harmful traditional practices such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW as well as enactment of local laws to promote and protect the rights of women and children. For example, the Children’s Act and the Women’s Act call for protection of children from harmful traditional practices as well as educating the population on the effects of harmful traditional practices on reproductive health in particular.

However, the Women’s Act has failed to spell out female genital mutilation which is regarded as violence against women, violates their rights and affects their health in numerous ways.

Section 21 of the Women’s Act 2010 specifically guarantees women the right to protection of health and safety including the safeguarding of the function of their reproductive health but how effective is this? With virtually no law in place to prohibit the practice in the country, it seems hard to stop the practice in a short period.

Three decades ago, the issue of FGM was regarded by many as a taboo to be talked about in public or discussed. But tomorrow, 13^thApril 2013, 30 women circumcisers will make a public declaration to stop FGM in a ceremony in Wassu, Central River Region. This ‘dropping of the knife’ will be fourth ceremony of its kind.

As GAMCOTRAP reaches out to more Communities in the country, more circumcisers are pledging to drop their knives.

Gamcotrap is a women’s rights NGO working in the area of women and girls and to stop harmful practices that affect the lives and circumstances of women and girls

in the Gambia. They have been very active and effective in stopping FGM. And yes, their struggle has led many to drop their knife.

The first ever public declaration of dropping the knife was held in 2007 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau where eighteen women circumcisers publicly vowed to abandon female circumcision. This was followed by a bigger one held in the provincial capital of Upper River Region, Basse, in 2009 where over 60 women circumcisers have also declared to have stopped the practice.

In 2011, 20 women circumcisers from 150 communities in Lower River Region publicly vowed to abandon at a ceremony held at Soma. ‘Dropping the knife’ symbolizes a public declaration of abandonment of the deep-seated cultural practice.

FGM, which has been scientifically proven unfavorable to the health and wellbeing of women, yet still widely practiced.

The practice which involves the removal of part, or all, of the female genitalia has left many women’s lives miserable according to women’s right activists and health officials.

Research has shown the most common form of genital mutilation performed in The Gambia is known as the excision, which includes removal of all, or part of the labia minora, and cutting of the labia majora to create raw surfaces, which are then stitched or held together in order to form a cover over the vagina when healed.

During this process, a small hole is left to allow urine and menstrual blood to flow. In some less conventional forms, less tissue is removed and a larger opening is left.

Girls and women are being circumcised on daily basis for different reasons. Many will say it is tradition while others will say it is religion. But it appears to be linked to traditiona, because there are people who believe the practice is done for reducing the sexual desire of a woman to avoid promiscuity and purification of women, beliefs rather than religion.

Some religious leaders in the country has condemn the practice, that FGM is not a religious obligation (neither Farda nor Sunnah), and has negative effects on women and girls.

It is estimated that over 130 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM and 30 million are at risk. This has become a global problem which requires immediate targeted solutions.

Waa Juwara, 2 others charged

2013-04-04T06:31:00.001-07:00

Lamin Waa Juwara

(The Point)

Police prosecutors have brought charges against Lamin Waa Juwara, former Minister of Regional Administrations, Lands and Traditional Rulers, Hamidou Jallow, Principal Lands and Evaluation Officer, and one Tamsir Onasis Konteh, at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before acting Principal Magistrate Dawda K. Jallow.

It would be recalled that Lamin Waa Juwara, leader and founder of opposition NDAM party, was appointed Minister of Regional Administration, Lands and Traditional Rulers, after last serving as Governor for the Lower River Region.

He was later removed as Minister of Regional Administrations, Lands and Traditional Rulers and later, according to sources, he was appointed Gambia’s High Commissioner to Senegal.

Count one of the particulars of offence indicated that Tamsir Onasis Konteh and Hamidou Jallow, in November 2011 in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, conspired to use forged documents to claim compensation in respect of Tanji Residential Layout and thereby committed an offence.

Count two stated that Tamsir Onasis Konteh, in November 2011 in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, made a document purported to be land title documents issued by the Alkalo of Tanji village in order to claim compensation in respect of plots acquired for Tanji Residential Layout, and thereby committed an offence.

Count three read that Tamsir Onasis Konteh, in November 2011 in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, knowingly and fraudulently uttered false documents in order to claim compensation in respect of the plots acquired for Tanji Residential Layout, and thereby committed an offence.

Count four stated that Tamsir Onasis Konteh, in November 2011 in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, with intent to defraud obtained D300, 000 from one Edward T. Sambou as consideration for a plot of land at Tanji Residential Layout with knowledge that the said plots were allocated to him under questionable circumstances, and thereby committed an offence

Count five disclosed that Hamidou Jallow, in November 2011 in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and in his capacity as Principal Lands and Evaluation Officer caused plots of land (Nos. C8 and C9) to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Knoteh, with knowledge that the said plots were already allocated to Kanilai Family Farms and Mr. Basirou Sambou respectively, and with the knowledge that the said Tamsir Onasis Konteh was not qualified for any and thereby committed and offence

Count six stated that Hamidou Jallow, in November 2011 in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and in his capacity as Principal Lands and Evaluation Officer caused plots of land (Nos. C8 and C9), to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Konteh against the laid down procedure for the award of compensation, and thereby committed an offence.

Count seven read that Hamidou Jallow, in November 2011 in Banjul within jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and his capacity as Principal Lands Evaluation Officer and in disobedience of the order of the Director of Lands caused compensation to be paid to Tamsir Onasis Konteh, and thereby committed an offence.

Count eight stated that Lamin Waa Juwara, in November 2011 in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and in his capacity as Minister of Regional Administrations, Lands and Traditional Rulers, by willful negligent act caused plots of land (Nos. C8 and C9) to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Konateh, with knowledge that the said plots were already allocated to Kanilai Family Farms and Mr. Basirou Sambou respectively, and with the knowledge that the said Tamsir Onasis Konteh was not qualified for any, and thereby committed an offence.

They all denied the charge.

Lawyer Abdoulie Sissoho, who represented Hamidou Jallow, the second accused person, said the case started since 2011 and his client had being reporting without being absent for a single day.

He added that he was called upon at the NIA main office in Banjul, where he was granted bail, and subsequently a panel was formed to investigate the matter.

According to counsel, upon completion of the investigation, the case file was forwarded to AG’s Chambers and the charge sheet was at the office of the DPP and later sent to the police for possible prosecution.

The first accused person, Tamsir Onasis Konteh, also made a similar application for bail.

The third accused person, Lamin Waa Juwara, also told the court that he would be available anytime the court needs him.

The trial magistrate later announced that bail was at the discretion of the court.

“The alleged offence committed is bailable offence, and I also take into account that the accused persons were on police bail,” the magistrate said.

He granted the accused persons bail on the following conditions:

The first accused, Tamsir Onasis Konteh, was granted bail of D200, 000 with two Gambian sureties, one of whom must have landed property within the Greater Banjul Area.

The condition further stated that one of the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means.

The second accused person was also granted bail of D200, 000 with two Gambian sureties one of whom must deposit a title deed within the Greater Banjul Area.

The condition further stated that one of the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means.

The third accused, Lamin Waa Juwara, was granted bail of D50, 000 with two Gambian sureties who must deposit their National Identification Cards with the court.

The court further ordered that all the accused persons should be reporting to the police every Wednesday.

The case was then adjourned till 17 April 2013.

Author: Bakary Samateh

More Women Circumcisers To Drop Knife

2013-04-04T06:28:00.001-07:00

Dr Touray and Amie Bojang-Sissoho

GAMCOTRAP, the leading women's right NGO will celebrates the 4th dropping of the knife scheduled for the 13th April 2013 in the historic town of Wassu, in the Niani of the Central River Region, Gamcotrap said in a media dispatch.

　

Funded by UNFPA, 30 women Circumcisers from 27 Clusters and 336 Communities who have gained GAMCOTRAP's experience to protect girls from FGM has pledged to make a public declaration to stop FGM in their communities.

　

"The advocacy to bring about positive change in the lives of girls and women against the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has impacted a greater level of awareness in the Gambia" the released stated.

It added that GAMCOTRAP between 2010- 2012, has been able to directly reach more than two thousand women and men of different age groups and social status, including Chiefs, Alkalolu, Imams, women leaders, Circumcisers, and Community Based Facilitators, amongst others. "GAMCOTRAP’s three year intervention has resulted in awareness about the effects FGM has on women and girls, the rights of women and children, and the realization that culture is dynamic and changes overtime".

In 2011, 20 women circumcisers from 150 communities in Lower River Region publicly vowed to have abandoned Female Genital Mutilation at a ‘dropping the knife’ ceremony held at Soma
.

Author: Binta A Bah

"The Gambia will legislate against FGM by the end of 2013" Dr Touray

2013-04-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

Dr Touray

The Gender Institute at the London School of Economics on the 18^th March organized a public event to explore the Politics of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP, Dr. Isatou Touray was guest speaker at the event held at New Theatre, East building with a capacity 240 people. Dr. Touray, renowned for her expertise in Gender and for her work as a leading anti- FGM campaigner beyond the boundaries of the tiny West African country, the Gambia, discussed the efforts being made to overcome the challenges to the abandonment of FGM. In her paper titled “The Politics of FGM: The Influence of External and Locally-Led Initiatives in the Gambia,” Dr. Touray contextualizes Female Genital Mutilation as part of the development agenda throughout the world. She argues that it is a development issue because it transcends the African continent. As inter and intra racial marriages are taking place so also is FGM an issue for immigrants in the Diaspora, she highlighted.

The paper refers to a study in which it is estimated that “66,000 women residing in England and Wales had undergone FGM, while 24,000 girls under 25 are at high risk or may have undergone FGM”(cited Dorkenoo et al 2007),, thus justifying her argument that immigrants from practicing ethnic groups should be engaged in eliminating FGM in the Diaspora.

Elaborating on the justification put forward for the continuation of the practice, Dr. Touray underscores how male fear of female sexuality is juxtaposed with patriarchal control of feminine pleasure in her assertion that “FGM is one of such and it has to do with preventing pleasure of women during sex. It is also about male sexual inadequacy of fulfilling their sexual duties to women, thus defining a way of curbing the power of the clitoris and the feminine pleasure.”

The paper looks at the multi-faceted arguments in the FGM debate such as religion, the discriminatory practices involved as well as from the Rights Based Approach and the from the reproductive health perspective.

Emphasizing the need for a protective environment, Dr. Touray states that 20 African States where female genital mutilation is prevalent and a number of States in other parts of the world have enacted laws criminalizing the practice (A/61/122/Add.1 and Corr.1). Looking closer to home, she said The Gambia government has also done a lot in its efforts to eradicate FGM, but needs to further ensure a protective environment for the health and wellbeing of women and children. Dr. Touray notes with optimism that The Gambia will legislate against FGM by the end of 2013.

Professor Sylvia Chant, Professor of Developmental Geography at the London School of Economics and Political Science chaired the event and it is supported by the LSE Annual Fund. This event has been certified by the Continuing Professional Development Certification Service. Delegates who registered their details with a LSE event steward at the event will obtain a Continuing Professional Development certificate of attendance. The well publicised event on the social media is also on a 95 minutes podcast on the LSE website.

Dr. Touray’s trip to England also availed her opportunity to promote the work of GAMCOTRAP and she had the opportunity to be interviewed on BBC Focus on Africa on the 19^th March 2013 and other media outlets.

Author: Amie Bojang Sissoho

MFWA to ‘Name and Shame’ Countries with Bad Conditions of Freedom of Expression

2013-03-26T05:49:00.001-07:00

The Gambia and the rest of the 15 West African countries will be rated and analyze on the conditions of freedom of expression in respective of their countries next year 2014, The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) says.

The annual rating which will be called West Africa Freedom of Expression Index will rank all 16 West African countries in partnership with the US-based freedom of expression (FoE) advocacy organisation, MFWA said in a press released

This rating will be based on an in-depth assessment of each country’s conditions of press freedom, internet freedom, freedom of association and assembly, religious freedom, artistic freedom, among others.

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the freedom of the media and of expression.

“The development of the Annual West Africa Freedom of Expression Index is an initiative of the MFWA to further create awareness about freedom of expression situations in the region and to ‘name and shame’ countries with bad conditions as a way of putting pressure on them to reform” it stated.

According to the released, a two day experts' meeting will be held later this month to discuss, develop and adopt a suitable methodology in Accra ahead of the rating.

" The experts, who will be drawn from West Africa and the United States, will also identify and discuss the specific indicators and weighting system to be used in rating the 16 countries" it stated

Author: By Binta A Bah

A Gambian journalist has gone into hiding for fear of being harmed, disappeared without trace or killed.

2013-03-25T03:27:00.001-07:00

Fabakary Ceesay

(Kibaro News)

Fabakary B. Ceesay, a senior reporter of Foroyaa newspaper who runs a monthly Detention without Trial column on Foroyaa, has escaped unharmed. The column was formerly anchored by Yaya Dampha who also had a similar experience.

Mr. Ceesay’s fleeing resulted after he had been tipped that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) issued a secret warrant for his arrest a day before the kidnapping of a protest-seeking journalist Baboucarr Ceesay.

“I decided to go into hiding for two days before finally fleeing to Senegal,” Mr. Ceesay told Kibaaro News.

The reasons for Fabakary’s arrest were unclear. Kibaaro News’ investigations extracted the chaff from the wind. “Fabakary has been under the NIA radar for so long,” a source confirmed. “The NIA is not at ease with reports on missing people and the court martial proceedings in Yundum Barracks. He was lucky because the initial plan was to pick up anytime he goes to army barracks for the court martial.”

Ceesay has been receiving threats since mid-February this year when he investigated the disappearance of some people in Foni in West Coast Region. The NIA were on Ceesay’s trail soon after interviewing the wife of a disappeared man. The visiting agents demanded to know the whereabouts of Mr. Ceesay who later received tip off that the agents were searching for him. He sought refuge in a friend’s house before he had finally left the Gambia.

Security agents visited Mr. Ceesay’s home and office several times looking for him.

Frontline human rights defenders in the Gambia urged the government to “take all necessary measures to guarantee the security, physical and psychological integrity Fabakary Ceesay. They want the Jammeh regime to guarantee that “all human rights defenders in the Gambia are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.”

United Nations to Observe One Billion Rising at UN Headquarters

2013-02-14T03:00:00.005-08:00

The United Nations will observe one billion rising at its office in New York City, announces one billion rising in a press release.

V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls, announces the final escalation of its year-long ONE BILLION RISING campaign. Today, 14 February, women and men in 203 countries will come together in the largest day of mass action ever to stop violence against women and girls, to express their outrage, and to strike, dance and RISE to support an end to violence against women once and for all.

“February 14, 2013 will change the world not because it is a day of magic, although there are indeed mystical elements surrounding this campaign. It will change the world because the preparation for it and organizing for it has already created an energetic wind or wave igniting existing efforts to end violence against women and create new ones,” said V-Day Founder and award winning playwright Eve Ensler. “It has brought together coalitions of groups and individuals that have never worked together before; brought in all kinds of new people and groups and associations and masses of men who are not aware of the issue but are now working on it; brought violence against women, through our numbers and efforts to the center of the discussion. On February 14, we are rising together because it is in our connectedness, in our stomping feet and uncontrollable hips that the path and energy will be created to bring in a new world. We will galvanize the will and the passion of everyone rising around the world to create change.”

The campaign is leveraging the strength of V-Day’s 15-year activist network in colleges and communities worldwide and utilizing the power of social media to catalyze action on a global scale. Through a series of videos, including the One Billion Rising short film (http://vday.org/shortfilm) which has already surpassed 600,000 views on YouTube, a music video called“Break The Chain,” the accompanying how-to dance videos by renowned choreographer Debbie Allen, and hugely successful video series “I Am Rising ” – in which activists and celebrities shared their reason for rising – V-Day has invited a global audience to rise together against violence and show the world what one billion looks like.

The campaign, launched on Valentine’s Day 2012, began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On 14 February, 2013, people across the world will come together to express their outrage, strike, dance, and RISE in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last to violence against women.

Author: Binta A Bah

United Nations to Observe One Billion Rising at UN Headquarters

2013-02-14T03:00:00.001-08:00

The United Nations will observe one billion rising at its office in New York City, announces one billion rising in a press release.

Author: Binta A Bah

Millions Continue to be Raped and Tortured: As The World Rise on to End Domestic Violence

2013-02-12T06:46:00.001-08:00

Eve Ensler

Eve Ensler, founder of V-DAY, a global movement to end violence against women and girls told journalists how women are preparing to take actions to end violence across the planet, making reference to GAMCOTRAP, a women's right NGO based in The Gambia, who is rising because FGM affects girls and women

“So in Gambia, for example, I know (GAMCOTRAP) an amazing group of organizers are working to stop female genital mutilation and fighting for the laws and fighting for the support of communities because that’s the work they are doing” she said.

On the issue how economic crises affects women she said the movement to end violence against women and the movement fighting for wage increases are completely integrated movements, “nd I think that’s happening in a lot of places where people are saying, we can’t end violence against women unless we look at the economy and how we are treating 99% of the people, and the fact that 99% of the people are living in stress and difficulty”

She asked everybody to make pledges on February 14 of what they are going to do for the next year to end violence against women and girls, what they are going to personally do and what they will do in terms of working with organizations that they work with.

Eve asked the media to get involved in the event and make the rising more than just a single day of action.

Eve was on from Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo to talk about the One Billion Rising campaign during the press conference held in New York, where journalists were connected through a telephone call for about two hours.

According to the one billion rising website, the rising is a global strike, an invitation to dance,
a call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends, and an act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power
“One billion women violated is an atrocity. One billion women dancing is a revolution. It is the same dark energy of fear and hatred and pain expressed in violence toward women that rapes and plunders the planet” it stated.

In Gambia, women, under the leadership of GAMCOTRAP also look unto celebrating this day in a more progressive fashion.In the Kanifing Municipality, Young people will have a march pass, symposium and will rise to sing and dance to celebrate their courage to say No to Violence against Women. At Soma, in the Lower River Region, Sangkalangba, a women’s kafoo will launch its songs on FGM and there will be a phone in on Violence Against Women at Soma Community Radio.

I just—I feel like if we don’t have a mindset change with men and how men perceive women and treat women and think about women and touch women and act towards women, we will never see an end to violence against women. And I think one of the things that men must really do, the good men – because there are many good men who don’t rape women or beat women or put women down – they have to come forward and they have to start fighting for this issue as hard as women are. “We’re not raping ourselves, you know? And if men do not come forward to make this their issue, to fight for their daughters, to fight for their wives and their girlfriends and their sisters, this is never going to change”

So one thing I would really hope that the media starts to do is to cover what’s really going on, and also to cover the activists and to cover the people who are doing amazing work to change it, because I think sometimes what people don’t see is all the incredibly good stuff that’s happening, the change that’s happening, the people who are rising up in their communities.

Author: Binta. A. Bah

'FGM should Not be practice on children in the Name of Islam'Dr Isatou Touray

2013-02-12T03:38:00.000-08:00

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

'I have realised that my voice is my power'

2013-02-07T02:35:00.000-08:00

Amie Bojang-Sissoho

Amie Bojang-Sissoho, an anti-FGM activist hassaid she has realised that her voice is herpower.

"I just found myself getting more involved without fear or regrets" she told The Daily New's Binta A Bah in an exclusive interview.

DNS:What challenges did you encounter when you started advocating for women’s rights in relations to: health, particularly for a woman from a deep rooted culture?

Amie:Ignorance and the taboo of silence are the main challenges. This so because they lead to resistance. The challenges were faced at work because it is not merely women’s health but specifically talking about sexuality issues, which are shrouded in secrecy and most people, are shy to talk about sexual problems. For some people even if they go to health workers, they find it difficult to say they are infected with sexually transmitted infection. Society perceives talking about sexuality as dirty, and disrespectful.

As someone from the culture that practices FGM, my extended family members, aunts in particular were not happy that I was part of the advocacy to stop FGM because my grandmother was deeply involved and I can recall our garden (kangkangba) being used as a ‘juju’. I try to educate them on the facts and to differentiate the facts forom the myths. Also knowing that my father (Late Alhagie Hatab Bojang) was one of the most respected Islamic Scholars in the Gambia during his lifetime, I made sure I did my research and I understood that the practice is not a religious obligation but a traditional practice, amongst most Muslims in the Gambia but that does not make it an obligation. It is a practice that has not been publicly questioned by our grandparents. Thus it was assumed to be Islamic.

DNS: What are if any regrets you have as woman activist campaigning against harmful traditional practices?

Amie: My only regret is that it has taken so long to bring public consciousness on the issues, while thousands of girls continued to suffer in silence and their sexual and reproductive health and rights being violated. Furthermore, while it is about women’s bodies, it is men who think they have the authority to decide on what should be said or not about women’s bodies and do not understand when women speak out for themselves.

DNS:How has marriage and motherhood changed your life in this fight?

Amie: My involvement in the campaign to fight against FGM was when I was married and a mother. So it further empowered me with information to be able to protect my daughter.

DNS: At what point in your life did you become involved in this campaign?

Amie: I was working with the National Radio- Radio Gambia ( now GRTS) producing and presenting programmes on health and Musol Taa (a weekly Women’s Magazine in Mandinka). I recall that it was in the late 1980s when I was assigned to cover a sensitisation meeting with the National Women Councilors at the Women’s Bureau office in Banjul. This where I first heard about the issues relating to FGM and how it affects women discussed. Coming from the culture, I became conscious of what was happening to many women. I could also relate to the stories because I was also a survivor of FGM.

DNS: You have put your life at risk for years of struggle. What inspirational factor keeps you pushing in this endeavour?

Amie: When you are a survivor of the cause and you are able to find your voice to question and say No to the violence inflicted on women and girls in the name of culture, you cannot stop. Also, the more I engaged with GAMCOTRAP, going to communities and hearing women telling their stories at night, I just found myself getting more involved without fear or regrets. I have realised that my voice is my power and that is all I have to make a difference in the lives of others. When GAMCOTRAP led the first Dropping of the Knife celebration in May 2007, I became aware that even though it may one may feel things are moving slowly; people are listening and taking informed decisions to protect girls from FGM. All these continue to motivate me made work with activists to reach out to more people.

DNS: How can you quantify the harmfulness of FGM in relation to an available Gambian case study where women are affected by the scourge?

Amie: During the community outreach activities we do in GAMCOTRAP, women do share stories with us on how Female Genital Mutilation has affected their sexual life, as well as how they suffer during child birth. In some instances case studies show how some helpless mothers watched their daughters die from bleeding after they have been cut. Other told us stories indicating why they hate to fulfill their marital relationship all because of the experience sealing which was as a result of FGM. The effects have also made some faced prolonged and difficult child birth. Some would simply avoid sex as much as they possibly can so as not to face the difficulties and pain they go through during sex. There are some who identify keloid as another effect of FGM. All these are cases we have collected during our programmes. Having realised that they are not alone, these testimonies are made in the open forums during training programmes.

DNS: What is your stand on the commonly cited Hadiths on FGM which is interpreted by some people as a practice legitimised by Islam?

Amie: The Hadith narrated by Abu Dawood, concluded that the source is not authentic, and all scholars, even those who do not support the campaign to stop FGM agree the Hadith is not authentic. Furthermore, it has not been recorded anywhere that FGM was a practice in the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). If he is the best example for all Muslims in protecting women and girls, why would he approve of a practice that causes unnecessary pain and suffering for women and children. A practices that does not determine your Muslimness. It should be noted that the areas they are linking FGM to Islam deal with cleanliness, and we all know what makes a Muslim women clean spiritually (from janab). This has nothing to do with cutting of any part of her body. The historic stories also deal with jealousy between co-wives, as in the case of the wives of Prophet Ibrahim, Hajara and Sarata. None of these justify FGM. People should realise that knowledge about Islam and Women’s rights have been widely researched and documented and is no longer the domain of the privileged few.

Some also argue that why did the prophet Muhammad not stop the practice, if the hadith is unauthentic how can you expect the Prophet making a declaration on it.

DNS: How optimistic are you that GAMCOTRAP is still a powerful organisation to end FGM in this country through their campaign?

Amie: It is the power of consciousness that is ending FGM in the Gambia. GAMCOTRAP is only taking leadership to reach out to the communities and to avail them that opportunity to get facts on FGM, to be able to make informed choices as individuals as well as communities. Such decisions can be made through the cluster approach in the different regions of the country. This provides the socio-cultural environment. However it is the government, our legislators in particular who have to take the leadership to provide the legal environment to end FGM in the Gambia. Together we can work to facilitate the processes involved to provide the socio-cultural and legal environment to protect vulnerable girls and women from FGM.

DNS: People do doubt how gender activists live with and treat their husbands. As an exemplary woman in this struggle for years what is your perspective on that?

Amie: Let them find that out from the husbands! (Laughs). It is because the husbands know that the wives are women, just like the mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces, negibours and friends who deserve respect and should be supported to realise their potentials. They are partners, and partnership calls for dialogue, openness and trying to understand the other’ s point of view.

DNS: Haven been campaigning and citing different cases regarding FGM, can you please tell our readers what is your own experience as a woman who came from a cultural background that practices FGM?

Amie: I am a survivor of FGM from the age of 10 years. Like any other woman who had gone through FGM, at Child birth I suffered. These experiences empower me with firsthand knowledge of what women and girls go through, just like most women coming from the culture. I’m glad I was able to find my voice on time to protect my daughter and now many others in the family are following the trend to say No to FGM. It has several effects on me that is why I cannot stop empowering others to say No to FGM.

DNS: In your opinion, what makes a person a good women’s right advocate?

Amie: First of all you must have a fundamental belief in women as equal citizen to men. One must understand the underlying patriarchal principle being upheld in dealing with women’s issues, whether in policies and in practice. One must always be alert to how you deal with gender issues in our society to avoid stereotyping women and putting us all in one box. We are all unique in our own ways and one cannot be discriminated merely based on her sex and the society’s persecution of gender relations. We are all women’s rights advocates; the difference is being a women’s rights activist. That requires leaving your comfort zone to give opportunities for others to self realise.

DNS: You were charged with theft but later declare not guilty of the allegation, how did the people in your life responded during and after the trial?

Amie: They believed in me and stick by my side during and after. They gave me the moral support needed and were always with me in the 66 court appearances.

DNS: Do you feel that this experience has affected the way you campaign for women's right?

Amie: No, indeed, I learned more why I need to continue to do well and stay professional. If we were not doing the right thing, communities would not have been responding positively. Remember that it was during the trial that the third Dropping of the knife was held in 2011, in the Lower River Region and the processes leading to the 4th Dropping of the Knife was advanced in the Central River Region North. As you may have realized, our first major activity has just concluded in January 10th when Chiefs, women Leaders, Alkalo, Imams and youth leaders at the Paradise Suites Hotel to support the advocacy for a Proposed Bill to Prohibit FGM in the Gambia. This is positive and therefore another manifestation that the work we are doing to promote the rights of women and children is appreciated by genuine Gambians and their friends.

DNS: What advice can you give other women activists who want to promote the welfare of women in this country?

Amie: Let us belief in what we claim. Give solidarity and support were it is due. We should respect and recognise our strengths and our weakness in the women’s movement in the Gambia. As we enter a new year, let us renew our resolve to protect girls and women from FGM and say No to Violence Against Women. GAMCOTRAP is open to all who genuinely wants to make a difference in the lives of women. As the celebrate of the International Day to Zero Tolerance on the 6th February and One Billion Rising on the 14th February, we have the opportunity to reunited and bring our energies together as women and men who care to make a positive difference in the lives of women and girls. Together we can move faster and better.

DNS:Thanks for your time

Amie: It was a pleasure.

Author: Binta A Bah

More News

KOMFFORA, Stakeholders Holds Consultati... »

Share this article

Email to a friend

Inquire

Gambians Rising on International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM

2013-02-04T14:48:00.001-08:00

Gamcotrap's Executive Director

This year V- Day is supporting GAMCOTRAP to reach out to Community and Opinion leaders in the Kanifing Municipality on February 6th. This is part of the worldwide movement led by Eve Ensler to say No to Violence Against Women and to bring attention to the one billion women who suffer different forms of violence. Zero Tolerance this year will be a prelude to V-Day on the 14th February 2013 when One Billion women and men will be rising as survivors of violence who have taken the courage to say No to Violence Against Women.

A good initiative can be a dream of one person that can be realized by millions around the world. On February 6, 2003, the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, was amongst delegates to a conference organized by the Inter African Committee on Traditional Practices. She made the official declaration on "Zero Tolerance to FGM" in Africa.

Subsequently, the　6th of February was adopted by the UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights as the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM, and this day is celebrated around the world as recognition of the need to protect girls and women from the practice.

Increasingly, the world is acknowledging the harm Female Genital Mutilation does to girl children and women. The United Nations continues to respond to the call for the protection of girls and women from FGM. Its member countries have recently passed the UN Resolution on the global Ban on FGM. The theme this year is: Translate the Resolution "Intensifying the Global Efforts in the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, into concrete action in order to accelerate the objective of Zero Tolerance to FGM.

The call for raising consciousness and legislation as enshrined in Article 5 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa is taking root. On the 10th January 2013, over 260 delegates from all the regions of the Gambia, Institutions and organizations also agreed to the legislation on a proposed law to Prohibit FGM in the Gambia. A Communiqué was signed by representatives of delegates to that effect. This is a giant step in amplifying the voices of grassroots communities in saying no to FGM and the need to protect girls and women from the impact of the practice on them.

To celebrate International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM, GAMCOTRAP is "localizing the global efforts to eliminate FGM" in four Cluster Areas in the Kanifing Municipality. This is a prelude to the One Billion Rising to say No to Violence Against Women on the 14th February 2013. Participants are expected to participate in this year’s celebration with an overview of the efforts at the national level from community mobilization to the advocacy for a law to protect girls and women from FGM. They will be sensitized on the global and local efforts to reach out to communities and institutions to take responsibility to protect girls from the practice. FGM is one of the many forms of violence meted on girls and women in the name of culture.

The localizing of global efforts is bearing fruit with the systematic engagement of communities and institutions. It is on record that from 2004 to 2011, GAMCOTRAP has directly reached almost thirteen thousand people through training, sensitization and advocacy activities. Almost a hundred Circumcisers have made public declaration in three events of the Dropping of the Knife Celebrations between 2007 and 2011.

Ever since, GAMCOTRAP has taken leadership to commemorate International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation annually to raise awareness about this practice. From 2008 to date it has been celebrated in Basse, Barra, and the Greater Banjul Area, and women and young people have been the primary targets.

On the 14th February 2013, GAMCOTRAP will organize two separate events, one with young people in the Kanifing Municipality and another one with rural women in Soma in the Lower River Region of the Gambia. The Youths will have a march pass, symposium and celebrate with music and dancing.

On the eve, 13th February, 2013, GAMCOTRAP will have a panel discussion and phone-in on Violence Against Women on Soma Community Radio. Also songs on FGM by the Sangkalangba women’s group will be launched as part of the One Billion Rising with statements on the campaign to say No to Violence Against women, amidst singing and dancing at Soma.

Let us Dance! Sing! and Rise to end Violence Against Women and celebrate our courage to do so.

　

Source: GAMCOTRAP

'I'm A Free Woman Now' Says Isatou

2013-02-04T14:02:00.000-08:00

In patriarch Gambia where women are traditionally viewed as an inferior sex always domestic violence perpetrator go free because of the dispaly of their socalled good manners in public.

Binta A Bah looks back at the story of Isatou who was 19 when she submitted to a forced marriage and how she manage to divorced from that husband. Daily News is not using the really name of the victim as requested and therefore is here using Isatou instead.

Back in January last year, Daily New's women's weekly column “Musulutaa”ran a story title 'from prison Isatou enters a battlefield' in that publication Isatou describe her story as 'tragic' because it's very common for young abused women to tolerate and keep quite over such abuses.

And going submissive and not saying anything during the act is also common. She was among thousands of women who face domestic violence on a daily basis.

Her marriage was arranged with a man she had never set her eyes on before. All that her father told her about the said husband was that he met the man at an Islamic conference. Isatou suffered a lot in the hands of this man she called husband. The suffrages went on for two good years before she could manage a divorce.

Its 9am in Brikama marrket, the capital of the Western Region, where a large group of people are standing to get themselves food from Isatou's restaurant.

'I’m an independent woman now' she said proudly. Isatou who would not have been at the restaurant when the force marriage were still on said “I have struggle a long time for this to happen but my ex-husband would never granted me the permission rather he would scold me for even going to the next door” Isatou said

"I was shock to see my ex-husband's real character and behavior. He was jealous and raised his hands all the time and physically abuses me” Isatou said

At one moment, she realised there was something wrong and she needed to seek help as soon as possible to be a better woman, a woman with dignity. Luckily for her, there was a fantastic female nurse she went to the very next day when her ex-husband went to work.
'I continued that for about two months and told her how my husband has treated me since we got married. One thing that she said to me was to confront the reality. "What happened to you was not your fault. You had way of preventing it from happening. The Women' Act protect and empower you in many ways. You can only control how you let those actions affect you by knowing your rights "
"I keep thinking how I could go out of the house without being blame because I know what my family would be thinking about me".

In September of that year, I got a divorce after I confronted my ex-husband and told him she is aware of her Women's Act, which grantee me right to life and protection. "I told him that I have the right to divorce and I can take legal actions against him for all he did"

"I think that the two years I was with him was definitely the hardest years I've ever had to face, emotionally but now on most days I'd be fine and go about my business" she said.

When I asked her how did the people in her life responded when she told them about this she said her father told her not to returned to his house if she divorced her husband. "But I am extremely fortunate to have so many supporting people in my life. My biggest pillar of strength was definitely my mother and a nurse friend. They are always there to support me, listen to my side of the story, or simply hold me when I cry"

For her, now everything is over. She had a successful business and does not have to be back to serve food or to be slapped for serving the food at a particular time."I have lot of customers and everything is going well for me and I wish no woman should stay in marriage like the one I was before' she said

Author: Binta A Bah

Police clampdown on demonstrators, injure journalists

2013-01-15T13:41:00.001-08:00

Four journalists on January 10, 2013, sustained injuries when police officers drawn from the Togolese Police Service clamped down on a group of demonstrators belonging to Let’s Save Togo Collective (CST), an opposition and human rights group.

The four, Noël Kokou Tadegnon and Tony Sodji, photo journalists of privately-owned Reuters Television and Television 7 respectively, Marcelin Adongnonsie and Jean-Claude Abalo, journalists with privately-owned Légende FM and Jeune Afrique, suffered various physical injuries including a dislocated right arm to Abalo.

According to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent, the journalists met their ordeal when they were caught up in an ensuing chaos after police officers fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, who were demanding institutional and constitutional reforms before the country’s parliamentary elections in March 2013.

According to the MFWA correspondent, leaders of both the Togolese National Union of Independent Journalists (SYNJIT) and the African Network of Journalists on Peace and Human Security (RAJOSEP), who witnessed the attack on the demonstrators, have called on security authorities to ensure the safety of journalists.

The MFWA recalls a journalist of the weekly Crocodile newspaper, Justin Anani, who was brutally assaulted on October 5, 2012 by police officers while covering a similar ‘police-riot’ on a group of CST demonstrators. Anani, was rushed to a local hospital after he fell unconscious following a knock he received from one of the police officers.

The MFWA condemns this incident and demands that the security agencies put an immediate halt to the recent spate of attacks and intimidation meted out to demonstrators and journalists who are only exercising their rights to peacefully protest and perform their journalistic duties.

Security officials attempt to arrest journalist

2013-01-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

Ibrahim Samura, editor of privately-owned Freetown-based, the Satellite newspaper was on January 2, 2013 nearly arrested by a group of plain-clothes police officers drawn from the Sierra Leone Police Service (SLP), and led by Superintendent Samuel Kargbo.

According to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent, the near-arrest on Samura occurred outside the studios of Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) after he had participated as a panellist on an SLBC’s programme, Press Review.

According to the correspondent, the police explained that Francis Munu, the Inspector General of Police, gave the order for the journalist’s arrest because he was clad in a shirt that looked like a police uniform.

However, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in a statement signed by its President, Umaru Fofana stated that “the instruction from the Inspector General, like the action of the plain-clothed policemen, was nothing short of harassment and intimidation to cow the journalist, an action that could have emanated from what the journalist might have written or said that the police deemed unpleasant.”

“We are also saddened that the management of SLBC failed to protect the journalist who was their guest, by allowing the police to harass and embarrass him almost right inside their studios,” SLAJ stated.

The MFWA urges senior officials of the SLP to as a matter of importance take critical steps to improve the relationship between the service and journalists which for many years has been plagued with series of confrontations.

In September 2011 four journalists were beaten up, one into coma, at the National Stadium in Freetown by policemen who were part of the presidential bodyguards and no action has been taken against them to date. Despite SLAJ’s efforts to get the names of the policemen and press charges against them in court, the police leadership, reportedly, would not cooperate.

Gambia's NIA harasses, detains journalist without charge

2013-01-13T12:29:00.002-08:00

Abdoulie John

Abuja, Nigeria, January 9, 2013-Gambian authorities should immediately release Abdoulie John, a journalist who has been detained without charge in Banjul since Monday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. John has been harassed by the Gambian National Intelligence Agency since early December, news reports said.

John, editor of the online news website Jollof News and a contributor to The Associated Press, was summoned for questioning at the headquarters of the NIA at around 2 p.m. on Monday, Lamin Jahateh, a representative of the Gambia Press Union, who was with John at the time, told CPJ. John was questioned for about three hours, he said. Emil Touray, president of the union, told CPJ that the agents took John to his home where they conducted a search, before returning him to custody.

The NIA agents first said that John would be released if he allowed them to screen his laptop and phones, according to Gibairu Janneh, the secretary-general of the union. Janneh and Touray, along with Lamin Camara, John's lawyer, brought the laptop to the agency on Tuesday, they said. After the agents searched the laptop for several hours and found nothing incriminating, they told Janneh that John wouldn't be released until he granted the officials access to his personal emails, Janneh told CPJ.
Local journalists told CPJ that they believed security agents were focusing on John's reporting for Jollof News. The website, which is blocked in the country, has often reported critically about the government, the journalists said.
Camara was allowed to visit John, who said he had not been mistreated, the AP reported. Under Gambian law, police may detain individuals for 72 hours without charge. No warrant had been issued for John as of this afternoon,according to local journalists.
NIA agents had previously arrested John in connection with an alleged argument between him and Sulayman Gassama, the official photographer for President Yahya Jammeh, on December 9, the AP reported. John was reporting for the AP on eight Senegalese individuals who had been releasedto Gambian authorities by separatist rebels of the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MDFC) in neighboring Senegal. Gassama had asked John why he was there to cover the hostage release, and an argument subsequently erupted, news reports said. NIA agents then detainedJohnovernight at the NIA headquarters, confiscated his passport, and ordered him to pay US$1,500 on bail, news reports said. They also told him to report repeatedly to the agency to be questioned in connection with an investigation about which they did not offer details, the reports said.
Captain Lamin Saine, the NIA's deputy director general, and Louis Gomez, the NIA's director of operations, told CPJ they had "no idea" about John's case. The NIA has a record of abuse in connection with journalist detentions. In 2008, the Nigeria-based Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States ruled that the agency should release Ebrima "Chief" Manneh, a Gambian reporter who disappearedafter being arrested by NIA officers in 2006, according to news reports. The same court also concluded that the NIA carried out an illegal arrest and torture of exiledjournalist Musa Saidykhan.
"We are deeply troubled by the arrest of Abdoulie John and are concerned about his well-being in the custody of Gambia's National Intelligence Agency, which has a documented record of disappearing and torturing journalists," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita from New York. "We hold the Gambia responsible for John's well-being and call for his immediate release and the end of this pattern of harassment against this journalist."
The AP released a statement Tuesday protesting John's detention and said that John had been assigned to cover the release of the hostages. Local and international human rights and press freedom groups have condemnedthe harassmentagainst John.

Women's Bantabaa

Unsafe Abortion rips-off Africa of its adolescents and young women

MFWA Director Charge Ghana Police to Prosecute Bodyguards for locking up Journalists

Ex-Embattled Jammeh & Co. Case Set For Trial

Gambia and Ethiopia Are among the nations holding journalists in jail

Benedict Jammeh & Co. Pleaded Not Guilty on 45 Criminals Counts But….

Gambians Warn To Stop Skype, Viber Dating Services in Internet Cafes

Gambia ALERT: Government passes stiff law on false information

Sierra Leone ALERT: President orders withdrawal of Afri Radio’s broadcast license

CRR Women Slams On Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) As Harmful and Surrender Knives

It’s All Tradition to Me

Waa Juwara, 2 others charged

More Women Circumcisers To Drop Knife

"The Gambia will legislate against FGM by the end of 2013" Dr Touray

MFWA to ‘Name and Shame’ Countries with Bad Conditions of Freedom of Expression

A Gambian journalist has gone into hiding for fear of being harmed, disappeared without trace or killed.

United Nations to Observe One Billion Rising at UN Headquarters

United Nations to Observe One Billion Rising at UN Headquarters

Millions Continue to be Raped and Tortured: As The World Rise on to End Domestic Violence

'FGM should Not be practice on children in the Name of Islam'Dr Isatou Touray

'I have realised that my voice is my power'

More News

Related Topics

Share this article

Gambians Rising on International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM

'I'm A Free Woman Now' Says Isatou

Police clampdown on demonstrators, injure journalists

Security officials attempt to arrest journalist

Gambia's NIA harasses, detains journalist without charge