Arret Jatta
Civil Society Organizations (CSO) led by TANGO on Wednesday 22nd May, presented their position paper on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) before the National Assembly’s joint committee for Health and Gender, Children and Social welfare.
Ms. Ndegen Jobe the Deputy Speaker of National Youth Parliament (NYP) who read the paper stated that Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision (FM/C) remains a deeply entrenched harmful practice in many communities worldwide, including The Gambia.
She stated the health implications that are attached to the practice of FGM
“According to the Wassu Kaffo- Cuban Medical Mission clinical study on FM conducted in The Gambia in 2011, even type 1 FM, which is the most practiced form of FM in The Gambia presented compilations in one out of four girls and women that were examined,” she said. “In another clinical study by Wassu Kaffo in collaboration with the Midwifery students of ECHM Gambia conducted in 2013 to determine the complications during delivery and for the new born for women with and without FM/C, women with FM/C had a significantly higher prevalence of long term health problems, such as dysmenorrhea, vulva or vaginal pain”, she highlighted.
She recommended that the law banning FM/C should be maintained and also ensured the proper implementation of the law.
“Improve access to quality education and healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, to empower young people with accurate information and support.
Engage communities through dialogue and empowerment initiatives involving religious and community leaders, traditional birth attendants, and youth advocates. Strengthen the health sector to provide comprehensive care and support such as medical treatment and psychosocial services for survivors”, she further recommended.
NYP also clearly stated their stance on the FGM issue on the position paper.
“As advocates for the general wellbeing, protection and empowerment of young people, especially young women, the National Youth Parliament-The Gambia stands firmly against the repeal of the law banning FM/C and calls for more stratification for its effective implementation”, the paper states.
The Association of Non-GovernmentalOrganizations (TANGO) also urged National Assembly members not to repeal the law on FGM.
“We respectfully urge the National Assembly members NOT to support the bill to repeal or reverse the Women Amendment Act of 2015. Such a decision will be in line with the letter and spirit of the Constitution while also upholding universal norms and standards in protecting human rights and the rights of girls and women in particular”, the position paper states.
