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FGM practice is violation of women’s reproductive health rights - Dr Touray

Aug 2, 2024, 9:16 AM | Article By: Adama Jallow

Dr Isatou Touray, the former Vice president of The Gambia and Executive Director of the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), has emphasised that the cutting of female genitals should be discouraged, saying it is a violation of human rights, particularly the right of women’s reproductive health.

She made this statement on Thursday at a day-long consultation program held at GAMCOTRAP Kanifing office for Gambian creative artistes to engage them to take part in the democratic process to effect appropriate change on the harmful effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The consultation at the forum, organised by GAMCOTRAP and supported by the Wallace Global Fund, was also aimed at helping artistes further disseminate the information by discouraging the FGM practice through songs. The songs of artistes, it is believed, would also help to create awareness of FGM in the country.

The theme of the training was: “Engagement with Local Artists about the existing law and effects of FGM on the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of women and girls.”

Over 35 female and male artistes were taken through presentations which included the effects of FGM on sexual and reproductive health, effects of FGM and religious misconceptions on SRHR of women and girls, and the importance and roles of artistes in human rights promotion among others.

Addressing the participants at the opening ceremony, Dr Touray said that artistes play a crucial role with huge impacts in the society. GAMCOTRAP, she added, has been operating over the years, and this time around they had decided to include artistes in the democratic process regarding the law and effects of FGM.

She emphasised that women were subjected to FGM, which they noted or realised to have negative impacts on the health of women.

She also said so many women had passed through the FGM practice under the belief that the practice was part of or related to religion, “but the fact is that it was just a traditional practice”.

“We call on you all artistes in the industry to participate in the fight against FGM practices,” she urged.

“We can only gain our freedom through education, respect, dignity, peace and tolerance. You the artistes have the ability to shape the hearts and minds of the population.”

Imam Baba Leigh also commented on the matter saying that the practice of FGM was never related to religion.

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