Gambian Women I Salute You!

As the world, The Gambia included, commemorated International Women’s Day (IWD) on Thursday March 8, I salute and honor all Gambian women for doing their part in different quarters for the advancement of the country.

Women’s rights activists who work round the clock to defend and promote the rights of women, and to protect them from the very many forms of violations of their rights; and discrimination, I say a big kudos to you.

Rural women who work on the farm all day to put bread on the table amid the steady skyrocketing of food prices in the country, you are excellent and I salute you for your commitment and dedication towards insuring the wellbeing of your families.

Women who spend the whole day at various markets to make sure that they meet the needs of their families, I say a job well done.

Men with increasing interest and contribution towards women’s advancement in our society, I say thank you all.

Women who refused to bow to politics of patronage and end up being used as stooges, and refused to deceive their fellow women, I say keep it up.

Zero Tolerance to FGM Means FGM Should Not Be Tolerated

women calling for end to FGM

Zero tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) means the practice should not be tolerated for any reason, no matter the type, who is doing it and on whom.
FGM which involves the removal of part, or all, of the female genitalia has been recognised as a serious form of violence against women and girls.
The practice should not be allowed to continue under the guise of tradition or religion, leaving many women’s lives miserable.
As GAMCOTRAP joined the rest of the world to commemorate Zero Tolerance Day on FGM, world leaders should acknowledge the bravery of women who have been campaigning for the rights and health of women and their achievements.

“From Kartong to Koina: Calling for a Law against FGM.”

 

Under the auspices of GAMCOTRAP, hundreds of women’s rights activists in The Gambia on Monday 6 January observed the International Day on Zero Tolerance on FGM.
The commemoration was characterised by a procession as rights activists, including ex-circumcisers-turned activists marched through the streets of Kairaba Avenue, The Gambia’s business hub. They held up banners with messages, which among others, call for a law against the fading, yet deep-seated widespread cultural practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Officially declared by late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, a former First Lady of Nigeria, February 6, is set aside by a UN resolution as International Day on Zero Tolerance to FGM to remind as well as renew efforts towards eradicating FGM.
The international theme for this year’s commemoration is: “From Malabo to New York, Support the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly banning FGM worldwide.”
However, GAMCOTRAP, a leading Gambian human rights NGO advocating against harmful traditional practices has however localised the theme.
“From Kartong to Koina: Calling for a Law against FGM,” the activists held up banners with this message, renewing their calls for Gambian authorities, who allegedly blocked a number of legislations against FGM, to criminalise the practice across the length and breath of the country.
Dr Isatou Touray, executive director of GAMCOTRAP, said through years of rigorous sensitisation, hundreds of circumcisers from over 564 communities in The Gambia have voluntarily abandoned the practice.
For Dr Touray, who was speaking at the KMC Hall where a conference was held following the procession, the massive dropping of the knife should be accompanied by a legislation in order to prevent girls and women from the practice which has been scientifically proven to be inimical to the health and wellbeing of women and girls.
Also speaking at the event, Pamela White, US ambassador to The Gambia, said the practice which involves the removal of part, or all, of the female genitalia has left many women depressed.
She added that about 100-200 million girls/women have undergone the practice, incurring severe pain, shock and bleeding.
“It is recognised as a violation against women’s rights and it is a torture against girls/women,” ambassador White said.
Fatou Kinteh of UNFPA, said FGM is a global problem which requires immediate solutions to safe millions of girls who face the risk of FGM.
“In a world that has reached seven billion, the health challenges are enormous and 1000 women die daily from complications (including circumcision),” said Mrs Kinteh
Meanwhile, this year’s commemoration was funded by the European Union/Non-State Actors.

Author: Binta A Bah

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Court Says Former APRC Lawmaker Used Title to Traffic Drugs

Dawda Manneh

 

A former parliamentarian disowned by his ruling APRC party following discovery of his involvement in the trafficking of illicit drugs was Friday sentenced to a ten-year jail term, alongside his accomplice, Demba Baldeh, an ex military personnel.
Dawda Manneh, a former National Assembly member for provincial-Nianija constituency and Mr Baldeh, a friend to him, were nabbed with over 9 kilograms of cannabis, a widely used illicit drug in a Central River region village of Sololi in 2008.
The former lawmaker and former soldier were jointly charged on two counts - possession of illicit drugs for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy – but both denied the ownership of the drugs found in Mr Manneh’s car.
Mr Manneh had denied knowledge of the drugs in his vehicle, pointing accusing finger at Mr Baldeh. But the former soldier refused to be left holding the bag, telling the court that his lawmaker friend owns the illicit drugs.

Teachers Condemn Female Genital Mutilation



Kumba Sallah

 Secondary school teachers from different schools in region one has condemned the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) after being exposed to its implications.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, GAMCOTRAP, women’s right organisation conducted a series of training seminars and programmes for teachers in 2011.

2010 meeting witnessed the representative of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education reporting on the budding of a syllabus that would be integrated into the educational curriculum of the Ministry, in which teachers, cluster monitors and appropriate partners would be equipped to be able to forge in advance with the long established culture that has been dragging on for more than thirty years now.

Almost for two years now, these teachers have spoken against FGM saying authorities should put an end to the practice by introducing a law against the practice.
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Despite FGM being rampant in The Gambia, Gamcotrap, a women’s right group is working hard to educate local women, teachers, security men and women about the health dangers associated with the practice.
The most common form of FGM  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 remove and a larger opening is left. Other forms, such as clitoridectomy and infibulations are also practiced.

But the battle against FGM is increasing intensifying. A good example is the recent ‘dropping of the knife’ ceremony held in Soma, in the Central River Region some 300 kilometers from the capital city Banjul in 2011.

 Fortunately in The Gambia, many men are now discouraging circumcisers to continue the practice. Last year Ebrima Bojang, Alkalo (village head) of Lamin Village, Kombo North, West Coast Region among 20 men condemned the practice.
The Gambia is among  9  remaining countries in Africa that are yet to come up with a specific legislation to eliminate FGM but teachers have  raised  their concerned  on its health implication.
Lamin AK Fofana, health worker attached to the Busumbala Health Centre said the practice has many implications.
 “I attend women at the clinic whose private parts are very abnormal.  FGM changed the formation of their private parts and they do suffer a lot during delivery,” Fofana said

He said the practice has caused many women to develop genital malformation fearing that the practice of FGM is fueling the spread of HIV in many communities.

Two renowned Gambian Imams, Baba Leigh and Muhammed Sanno last month strongly denied the practice of FGM.

 “There is nothing positive as far as FGM is concerned and no scholar can tell you that it is ordain unless they fabricate it” said Imam Baba Leigh. “Give the woman what she merit islamically but don’t make her suffer,” he said.

According to them FGM is only a cultural believe which is traditionally perform on women widely. They added the practice which is associated to Islamic religion is harmful to the health of girls/women.
Kebba Jallow, a science teacher at Mingndow Upper Basic School said the practice is inhuman.
 “I really feel bad about it because it is human torture. It is a deep rooted culture and people, especially teachers should advocate for the eradication of FGM.
Awa Saho Jallow, senior education officer at the Curriculum Unit, MoBSE said honesty from elites and Islamic leaders can save many girls from the practice.
“Some people will not do it to their children but will satisfy the society by faking them. And some of these people are elites who are aware of the consequences,” Mrs Jallow said.

She said she comes from a community where the practice is common. “They would call me abusive words in school and I will go home crying. My children will not go through she said.

Kumba Sallah Home Science & Social Environment Studies teacher at Sukuta Upper Basic School said she felt shocked during the training.
 Momodou Jobe, also a teacher said religious leaders should give the correct information and stop confusing the Islamic community.

 “I used to believe that it is a religion obligation because of religion leaders which is not the case now,” he said
Mariama Camara Home Science and SES teacher at  Mingndow Upper Basic School said she was not sphere because she came from a family where the practice is common.

 She said she still feel the pain emotionally. “It is pity and the pain is just too much for human beings. I cried when I saw the pictures because I cannot forget the pain.”
She added that religious leaders should stop misleading the public. “It is just a deep rooted culture which can be eliminated,” she said.

Yahya Drammeh also a   science teacher at Gunjur Upper Basic School said the implications of FGM are negative.
Momodou Sarr, Agricultural teacher at Sukuta Upper Basic School said he cried when he saw victims of FGM.

Abdoulie Daffeh, science teacher at Mingndow Upper Basic School said he always support the practice because he thought it was part of the Islamic religion.
Fatou Bittaye, curriculum directorate at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education said the practice is wicked in itself and should be stop at all means. “This is war against women and we should be supported and protected from harmful practices.”
Fatou Colley, science teacher at Gunjur Upper Basic School said she feels sorry for herself because she is still hurt. She said the act is criminal and it should be stop.
“All what I was told when I was child is not true,” she said

She said religious leaders should come together rather than sitting on the fence. “It is time for action to free women from the pain.
Dr Isatou Touray Executive Director GAMCOTRAP described the practice as abnormal.  .”



Momodou Jobe



Mystery Surrounds Hamza Barracks Killing

Yorro Mballow, Police Spokesperson

The circumstances surrounding the death of a couple at Hamza Barracks at the outskirts of the capital, Banjul, are still a mystery, four months after the incident.
A native of Essau village in North Bank region of The Gambia, Mariama Camara, a female military officer was found dead in her house at the barracks on Saturday August 27, 2011.
Her husband, Alpha Jallow, a civilian, who was found lying beside her with gunshot wounds, died shortly afterwards at the hospital.
But the police spokesperson has told The Daily News that the circumstances surrounding the case are still unclear.

Renowned Imams Condemn FGM

Imam Baba Leigh

Two renowned Gambian imams, Baba Leigh and Muhammed Sanno, have condemned Female Genital Mutilation, rejecting claims that the deep-seated cultural practice scientifically proven inimical to women’s health and wellbeing, is an Islamic injunction.
The Islamic scholars, who are among an increasing number of Gambian scholars to publicly condemn FGM, argued that Prophet Muhammad forbids any practices that harm human beings and women.
“What the prophet say is clear. It is only people who abuse it and religion is not what people say,” said Oustass Sanno.
“There is nothing positive about FGM and no scholar can tell you that it is ordained unless they fabricate it,” Imam Leigh buttressed. “Give the women what they merit islamically but don’t make them suffer.”