The
Girl Generation (TGG) yesterday
commenced a five-day training of trainers on female genital mutilation social
change communication.
The
training at Baobab Holiday Resort, Bijilo, brought together 40 participants
from five regions of The Gambia.
Organisers
said the training is meant to provide social change communications for members
of the organisation and partners.
After
the training, the participants are expected to deliver effective social change
communication to their various communities.
Speaking
on the occasion, social change communications manager of TGG, Asenath
Mwithigah, said FGM is the greatest human right violation of girls and women
but with concerted effort it can be changed within a generation.
“FGM
is everyone’s issue and ending it is everyone’s responsibility; together we can
create a world that is safe for girls and women,” she said.
She
explained that the training is being focused on social change communications
because there is a need to look for a positive transformation in the way the
society value girls and women and the social norms that underpin FGM.
Mrs
Mwithigah further noted that people practice FGM out of love so in order to
change that there is a need for education and awareness creation on the ills of
the practice.
“Communication
has the power to positively influence the various fabric of society,” she
affirmed. “This is why we deemed it wise
to use communication to provide a safe space for individuals in the communities
to dialogue and debate about issues.”
She
noted that so many advocacy process and strategies have been going on for long
but FGM prevalence in The Gambia is still at 75 per cent hence the need for
change in advocacy strategy.
“FGM
should be talked about in a sensitive way so as not to demonise the survivors,”
she said.
Mary
Kioko, grants manager at TGG, said the training is part of a grant TGG received
from Human Dignity Foundation towards ending FGM.
She
said as part of the grant, TGG is working with 10 African countries including
The Gambia, and they are still open to receive applications from organisations,
networks and individuals working on ending FGM.
“The
funds are here for the people so let people apply,” Mrs Kioko said.
Amat
Cham of Women’s Bureau said FGM is a deep-rooted culture but it can be
“eradicated in a generation”.
He
said the continuous training and sensitisation would help in the fight against
the practice.
TGG
is a global campaign that supports the African-led movement to end FGM. The
campaign amplifies the issue on the international stage and brings attention to
inspirational stories of change from some of the most affected countries in
Africa including The Gambia.