The
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Women Bureau has lauded the UNFPA for
complementing the development efforts of the bureau at promoting the health of
women and girls.
Sainey
Cham was speaking in Njaba Kunda and Farafenni recently in the North Bank
Region.
The
training was attended by 60 women leaders. Cham said the law strongly
recommends for legal action against anyone found guilty of practising it.
He
said the revised Women’s Act 2015 states that anyone found guilty of the
practice would be liable to a fine of D50,000 or in default to serve three-year
imprisonment or both.
He
therefore called on women leaders to be steadfast and proactive in creating
public awareness on the law.
The
sensitization is supported by the United Nations Fund for Population Affairs
(UNFPA).
The
activities were part of the UNFPA’s efforts at helping to build the capacity of
women leaders on the revised Women’s Act 2015, which strongly prohibits the
practice of FGM in The Gambia.
Deputizing
the district chief of Upper Baddibou, Modoulamin Jagne, Farafenni ward
councillor, underscored government’s commitment to the empowerment and
protection of their reproductive health to enhance national development.
The
President’s pronouncement on banning FGM clearly demonstrates his concern for
women, he said, lauding the Women Bureau under the Ministry of Women Affairs
for their steadfastness.
The
Farafenni ward councillor used the moment to call on women to rally behind
President Jammeh and the APRC party ahead of the December 1 polls.
Kumba
Jallow, Women Bureau lady councillor for Upper Baddibou, called on women
leaders to be vigilant and proactive in raising public awareness.
Fatou
Camara, Senior Programme Officer of the Reproductive and Child Health Unit at
the Ministry of Health, said the practice remained a public health concern and
called on women to desist from the practice, saying it affects the reproductive
health of women and girls and could lead to serious health complications.
She
lauded the Bureau in complementing the Ministry of Health’s efforts at
promoting the health status of women and girls.
Njie
Duno, lady councillor for Central Baddibou, thanked the Bureau for their
steadfastness in creating public awareness on the anti-FGM law and enjoined
others to enforce the law.
Fatou
Conteh of Farafenni, Karamo Marong of alkali Kunda and Aja Jajie Bah of Duta
Bulu assured of their unflinching support to the ban and called on Women Bureau
to intensify the campaign, saying it would inform and educate women on the
consequences of violating the ban.
Speakers
on the occasion included Sidat Jadama of Kubandar, who called on all
stakeholders to intensify the anti-FGM law.
