GAMCOTRAP sensitizes school dropout girls on FGM, others
By SULAYMAN WAAN
The Gambia Committee on Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting Women and Children’ Health (GAMCOTRAP) has embarked on community outreach campaign to sensitize school dropout girls.
The UNICEF funded campaign was held at Kalagi, Bwiam and Sukuta villages in the West Coast Region on 22, 27 and 28 November respectively with the aim of ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Child Marriages through engaging girls.
Musa Jallow, GAMCOTRAP team leader said the crusade si meant to enlighten school dropout girls on the health effects of FGM, teenage pregnancy and child marriages so that the girls have thorough understanding as how to protect themselves and others from such practices.
He said this campaign happened because UNICEF had conducted a research so as to know about girls’ education within the Foni and Kombo districts of WCR.
He added that after the survey, data indicated that a good number of girls have not completed their education and other are not enrolled in school.
“Therefore, we deem it necessary to sensitize you (participants) in order to raise your awareness on harmful tradition practices,” he said.
He added: “Also the purpose of having this project is to have structures at the community level where as the participants will form clubs to come up with action plans (to continue their education). We hope UNICEF will fund it so that the campaign will not only stop at GAMCOTRAP’s advocacy. It has to be a continuous crusade in order to eliminate FGM.”
Mr. Jallow noted that regardless of the change of regime the FGM law still exists, adding that if anyone is found wanting would face legal consequences.
Haruna Badjie, officer from social welfare said child marriage is a crime.
He said: “If parent, guardian or any adult contract a marriage on behalf of a child commit offense and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment not exceeding twenty years,” he quoted.
Mr. Badjie urged them to be aware of sexual harassment, adding that physical and emotional sexual harassment are common in the society which he means are factors affecting the girls’ progress many dropout owing to pregnancy.
“Your parents have the responsibilities to enroll you in school and pay your tuition fees but is your responsibilities to pass exams,” he said
Fatou Bojang, GAMCOTRAP field coordinator said traditional practice such as FGM and child marriages cause serious health complications in women.
“FGM causes excessive bleeding in women, reduces women sexual joy and causes severe pain during birth,” she sensitized.
Madam Bojang called on girls to avoid all practices that could affect their education as well as health conditions, while enlightening them not to be fools to men.
Khaddijatou Jallow, participant commended this organization for raising their awareness on these harmful practices, appealing to all to play their part in ending these harmful practices in the society.
Nyima Bojang, participant said: “uncut women are always discriminated in the society as many have the belief that they are unpurified.”
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