By: Arret Jatta
The National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Health, Disaster, Humanitarian Relief & Refugees and Gender, Children & Social Welfare held a consultative meeting with survivors of FGM on Tuesday as the debate over a bill, calling for the repeal of the anti-FGM raged.
The bill has generated huge reactions from the public since its introduction to the House in March with some calling for its passage whilst others have vociferously voiced their opposition to it.
It has been referred to a legislative committee for better discussion and consideration.
During their meeting with legislators, survivors gave their perspectives on FGM, and according to one of them, Isatou Dou Sawaneh, human rights should be respected.
“I’m glad that this matter was raised. Yes, I am. So, let’s deal with it once and for all. The truth shall prevail,” she added.
She hinted to the legislators that they would be on the wrong side of history if they should pass the bill for the repeal of the anti-FGM law.
“Whatever happens here will happen in your tenure and it is something you will live with,” she told NAMs.
Ms. Sawaneh explained to the committee that they came to the House voluntarily to put the spotlight on the ramifications of FGM.
“Nothing was given to us. No money was given to us. We came to tell you about the ordeals women face due to FGM. A lot of things are surrounding this FGM right now. The Gambia is the center of attention because of this topic,” she emphasized.
She pointed out that if, at all, FGM is an Islamic recommendation as some argue, its practitioners do not observe a lot of things the religion recommends, stating that she could not see anything positive about FGM.
Former circumciser Mama Jabbi said she acquired the knowledge of circumcision from her grandmother.
“If you were brought up in something and you were told that it’s a tradition, you will think that it’s normal because you grew up in it. What you teach a child is what she/he grows up with but what you haven’t taught her/him, she/he will not know that,” she stated.
Mrs. Jabbie argued that some people are quacks despite their claim of being circumcisers.
FGM survivor Aja Fatou Sillah told the House committee that in Sarehule culture, female babies are circumcized when they’re a week old.
“We, the Sarahules, circumcise female babies a week after they’re born; the day of their naming ceremony,” she added.