By Yero S. Bah
The practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) was prevalent in the Gambia among many tribes, with the exception of a few. For some, it’s a strong tradition that they are not ready to forego anytime soon, whilst for others, especially religious leaders, FGM is religious injunction.
The ancient practice was widespread in Africa as well as in the Arabian Peninsula and the Gambia is not an exception, as it commands controversial debates since health authorities, women rights advocates, traditionalists and religious leaders always clash over the harmful traditional practice in the country and elsewhere around the world. The Gambia has a law that prohibits the practice of FGM.
Mansa Banko Online reporter spoke with one anti-FGM advocate about FGM/C in Lower River Region via WhatsApp interview.
Mr. Abdoulie Gaye, a native of Misera village in Lower River Region is a strong advocate against FGM in rural Gambia as he was forcefully dragged into the fight by a quarrel that one of her little sisters was involved in with a village neighbor who insulted her by telling her that she wasn’t clean because her mother never underwent the highly believed ritual of FGM/C in rural Gambia.
Gaye, a graduate of Gambia College School of Education, explained that his family does not practice FGM/C since it is not part of their culture and their tribe doesn’t succumb to such traditions. He recalled her sister was annoyed and hurt with such negative comments coming from her neighbor, reasoning that prompted him to establish his FGM/C organization at grassroots level to educate society on the dangers associated with the practice in his community.
The anti-FGM crusader continued, “I even wanted to report the matter to the police but I just thought twice that taking the case to the police wouldn’t solve the problem.” The Misira native further recounts that from that point, he consulted one Mariama Sallah who was very much interested in the whole idea of creating an FGM/C awareness organization that would help sensitize the local residents; by first starting with the youth and the rest of community through community outreaches so as to raise awareness about FGM/C and the dangers it poses to women, particularly childbearing-age-women.
The three year old grassroots organization is struggling with lack of funding and the founders are calling for support from NGOs as well as individuals. “In fact, that is what is making us not active more due to lack of funds,” his words.
A qualified teacher by profession, Gaye told this medium that he is into this activism because he believes that many women and girls are losing their lives and pride due to this old traditional practice, noting that more youth have joined him in this crusade so far.
However, Gaye acknowledged that the status of women is now better in the Gambia since there are legal instruments that advocates could rely on to pursue their goals in ending the practice. Noting there exists a law that bans the female genital mutilation, he however, said despite these instruments some Gambians still want to continue the harmful practice or tradition.
As he indicated, since they launched their awareness campaign against the practice of FGM/C, people in his village don’t practice it now. Gaye narrated some of the challenges he faces daily, saying people use religion and culture to discriminate him, sometimes they even insult him for fighting it on social media such as Facebook and other platforms.
“People thought that we are directly attacking their cultures and religions, so they don’t like us for standing against it,” said the rural fighter charged against the deep-rooted practice.
The seemingly-not-relented Gaye charged that the solution is that people need to change their mindset and cultures; that religious leaders should help advocate against it as are they respected individuals in society. He is optimistic that if religious openly support the fight against FGM/C it will change, while he called for the involvement of political and cultural leaders in fight against the practice. Government, Gaye added, needs to strengthen the ban by punishing perpetrators, and “all these people need to condemn it openly”.
He reported that almost 90% of all girls in his village of Misira are victims of the practice, citing ignorance and people wanting to stick to their tradition and culture as worrying signs in the fight against the practice in rural Gambia.
Gaye finally called on Gambians to fight tooth and nail to eradicate the practice of FGM throughout the country.
