Gamcotrap trains youth on harmful traditional practices

The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (Gamcotrap) on Friday held a day workshop for young people from the Kombos.

The workshop, held under the auspices of Save the Children/UN Women Trust Fund, formed part of its project called From Health Based to Rights Based in the fight against FGM.

Over hundred participants drawn from West Coast Region took part in the training held at Gamcotrap head office in Kanifing.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Isatou Touray, executive director of Gamcotrap, said the aim of the workshop was to create awareness among young people on traditional practices inimical to the health and wellbeing of children and women so as to reduce the problems associated with women’s reproductive health and wellbeing and bodily integrity.

She said that they are training young people to empower them to take charge of their own destiny.  “We empower you with right information for your own betterment,” she said.

According to the rights activist, young people play a pivotal role in nation building thus the need to empower them to know the implications of FGM and other harmful practices.

She said that during the cause of the training, participants discussed issues that they have being hearing or seeing happening in their societies.

Dembo Kambi, chairperson of West Coast Regional Youth Committee, thanked Gamcotrap for empowering them.

He urged his colleagues to share the knowledge gained from the workshop with the wider society.

Ms Kaddy Touray, field officer with Gamcotrap, chaired the opening ceremony of the workshop graced by religious adviser Imam Baba Leigh.