By Arret Jatta
Hon. Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, The Vice Chairperson of African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) has said that poverty and limited access to education are among factors that contribute to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practice in Africa.
She was speaking during a panel discussion on the topic- how to implement article 5b of Maputu protocol which is on FGM at the 79th ordinary session (hybrid) of ACHPR held at Bakadaji Hotel on Friday 17th May.
“In some context also limited access to education contribute immensely, it is clear that the practice is deeply enrich in gender inequality and discrimination which are some of the challenges women continue to face in the continent and also impeach the eradication of harmful traditional practices in Africa,” she said.
She added that poverty and economic reason play a crucial role in the fight against FGM because some people actually strive, survive and benefit from the practice and therefore they don’t abandon the practice
“Lack of awareness among key stakeholders such as community leaders, parents and health care providers because even some lack of awareness can input efforts to prevent FGM in Africa and promote abandonment,” she highlighted.
“We have insufficient legal frame work and enforcement, many countries have laws that prohibit FGM but the enforcement is being ineffective because this actually speak to the issue of the lack of awareness in terms of both the legal and the law enforcement officers,” she added.
She notes that FGM is something they have to bearin mind because it relates to Africa as a continent cross border and transnational challenges.
“These challenges require a multifaceted and holistic approach and i most say it is not a one side fix or for each country everything must be context base and each country most contextualize each owns context and engage in education, awareness raising, community engagement, legal reforms and health care provision,” she emphasized.
She went on to stress that with collaboration between government, CSOs, religious leaders, community leaders and international partners towards addressing the barriers, progress couldbe made in the implementation of article 5b of the Maputo Protocol and ultimately eradicate FGM.
