The
UNFPA Country Director in Dakar office, Andrea Wojnar Diagne accompanied by the
country team paid a courtesy call on GAMCOTRAP to congratulate Dr. Touray and
her team on the successful Dropping of the Knife celebration and for putting
her heart and soul to the campaign to end FGM. Madam Diagne noted the UNFPAglobal alliance to end FGMand
that the pronouncement to ban FGM is a positive move to further accelerate the
work being done. She congratulated the organisation for the good work to end
FGM and promote the health and well being of Gambian women and children.
Commenting on the future country programme, UNFPA official noted that the
direction is towards providing baseline, evidence and monitoring. She emphasised that reports should highlight
results which GAMCOTRAP is already doing. The focus will be on youth, women, social media and other actors so as
to move in a holistic manner. Madam
Diagne observed that pronouncement and passing a law does not mean abandonment
but are tools to facilitate total abandonment. She noted that work has to go as
culture does not change just because there is a law, the discussion and
dialogue should continue in a culturally sensitive manner as GAMCOTRAP and
other actors are doing to address harmful traditional practices at community
level.She advised on the continued use
of the new media in the advocacy.
In
her response Dr. Touray noted that over the years there has beenevidence of change in communities which is
visible by the number of circumcisers and communities abandoning FGM. Also the
engagement of young people in the advocacy to end FGM is evidence of the impact
made which is very positive.She called
for a strong platform of partnership with a unified voice to decrease
misrepresentation and conflict in information. She noted that GAMCOTRAP has
always targeted youths and use of new media as well as research evidence in its
programme of activities. This she noted will continue while pursuing
legislation to Ban FGM in the Gambia. She noted that GAMCOTRAP is supporting
the government to achieve its obligation towards women and children and
confirmed that the organisation will continue to engage and move the process
further.She appreciated the sustained
efforts made by UNFPA in supporting the organisation which made it possible to
reach this level. Dr. Touray asserted that this success is possible because of
the professionalism that UNFPA has and believing that local initiatives can be
supported to make a difference.
The
UNFPA Country Office team members, Assistant Country representative Mr. Momodou
Mboge and Programme Officer – Gender Mrs. Fatou Kinteh accompanied their
colleague from Dakar.
Prepared
by GAMCOTRAP 2nd
December 2015
