35 communities in CRR North ‘willingly’ abandon FGC, early marriage, others

The historic decision to abandon such negatives practices affecting their communities was made after the communities had undergone a three-year Community Empowerment Program (CEP) conducted by Tostan, an international NGO operating in the Upper and Central River Regions.

For the past years, over 200 communities in the Upper River Region (URR), with the rigorous engagement and sensitisation of Tostan, have abandoned FGC, early and forced marriage among others. With the help of Tostan, beneficiary communities have also improved their health and hygiene, settled their differences, improved their literacy and cleaned their environment among a host of others.

At a declaration ceremony was held at Kuntaur Fula Kunda in the Niani District of CRR North. It was attended by people from 35 communities, officials from Tostan, and local authorities from a cross-section of the communities, “circumcisers” who mostly conducted FGC within the area “publicly abandoned the practice”. They claimed that after undergoing the three-year CEP conducted by Tostan, they have now known the health implications involved in the deeply rooted practice.

Halimatou Jawo, who read the declaration statement in English on behalf of the 35 communities, said: “We the representatives of 35 communities in Sami and Niani districts of the CRR of The Gambia and our sensitised villages this Monday 19th December 2022 at Kuntaur Fula Kunda solemnly and with full knowledge declare to abandon the practices of FGC and child marriage in our communities.

“Our historic decision, which aims to reinforce the National Movement for the Promotion of Human Rights and Health in The Gambia, in Africa and the world is based on the Community Initiative originated in Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program (CEP) in partnership with the Government of The Gambia through the Women’s Bureau / Directorate of Gender under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare and other partners in URR and CRR since 2006 to date. The communities that are here with us today, reinforced with sensitisation and social mobilisation activities by the Community Management Committees and social mobilization agents.

“We join the movement that started in Darsilameh Mandinka in Sandu District on the 15th of June 2009 and which has not ceased to shine in our region of URR, where more than 213 communities have now abandoned the practice of Female Genital Cutting and child marriage to protect and promote women’s and girls’ health and sexuality.”

Sainey Mbaye, the deputy Governor of CRR, acknowledged the significant role Tostan is playing in CRR, saying: “Before the coming of the project in the region, things were so difficult in the region in terms of problems among others. However, they have now become things of the past. They have for the past years educating people on human rights, health and hygiene, the negative impact of FGC among others.”

He equally called on the project officials to also sensitise border villages in Cassamance, the southern part of Senegal, with the objectives of ensuring that border communities in The Gambia and Senegal team up to abandon FGC.

“Tostan has also trained VDC members on how to strengthen their VDC’s among others. What I like about Tostan so much is the fact that they are not involved in politics.”

Kumba Camara, the lady councillor of Sami District said: “Tostan has empowered us so much. They have built our capacity and trained us on problem solving skills among others. Therefore, I want to urge the participants to disseminate the knowledge gained to others especially those that didn’t benefit from the project.”

Demba Jawo, the village alkalo and MakamKoma, the village VDC Chairman all spoke on the tremendous efforts the project is making in the village.

Dado Kandeh read the declaration in Fula and Sonna Ceesay in Mandinka.