The
Gambia’s leading independent newspaper has been awarded the ‘Best Print Media’
and ‘Best Media House’ awards at the 2017 End FGM Media awards organised by
Safe Hands for Girls at Djembe hotel Saturday.
Established
by Pap Saine and the late Deyda Hydara
some 25 years ago, The Point’s awards were in recognition of the paper’s
contributions in sensitising, changing perceptions, providing support and even
saving a child from going through the procedure of female genital mutilation
(FGM).
Receiving
the award on behalf of the newspaper’s management, Lamin Jahateh, acting
editor-in-chief, expressed delight, saying he was honoured and humbled to
receive double awards in one night.
The
Point newspaper, he said, has been playing crucial role in the promotion of
women’s rights and welfare, particularly in demystifying the notion that FGM is
Islamic or it has any social or health benefits to women.
“I
consider FGM to be the most barbaric practice that a woman performs on a fellow
woman,” he said, adding that with the support of the management, The Point
would continue to stand for the rights and welfare of women, including the
girls.
Mr
Jahateh said The Point would continue to raise the bar higher in terms of
reporting on issues that are inimical to the growth and development of women.
He
thanked the entire editorial staff of the newspaper, especially Halimatou
Ceesay, the anchor of the women’s column, for the good job that made it
possible for The Point to win the awards.
The
Point co-publisher, Pap Saine, also expressed delight about the awards, saying
“I thank Allah and my staff for winning awards in the fight against FGM, this
is a big honour for me and my staff”.
He
said the awards would further motivate The Point to work harder and also
maintain its leadership in the print media in The Gambia.
“We
will continue to always educate the public on issues geared towards their
development; we will always fight against FGM and educate the public as
expected,” he said.
Adam
Jobe, a staff of The Point, said the awards did not come as surprise to her
because “the paper has worked immensely in the fight against FGM since the
onset”.
“The
awards are clear manifestation of The Point’s commitment in promoting the
health and welfare of women, especially putting on the spotlight the harmful
effects of FGM,” she said.
Last
month, The Point was awarded by the Banjul Muslim Elders for its role in the
promotion of Islamic activities.
The
paper has won four international awards on press freedom: in 2006 in Germany,
in 2014 in Australia, and in South Africa and Zambia.
