This inter-generational dialogue held in Bwiam, Foni Kansala, also forms part of activities marking - ‘International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.’
This year’s dialogue, themed: “Towards 2030: No end to FGM without sustained commitment and investment,” was supported by UNFPA and the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation.
Basically, the event also seeks to draw attention to millions of girls and women, whose lives have been affected by this century-old cultural practice.
Addressing the gathering, Ms Lena B. Houma, programme manager of WILL, described the day as both a solemn and hopeful one, as it reminds people of the millions of girls and women, whose lives have been affected by FGM.
In light of this, she reaffirms their collective commitment to ending this harmful practice in communities.
‘‘Our heartfelt thanks to the United Nations Population Fund for their steadfast leadership and commitment,” she said. “We also recognise the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation, whose solidarity strengthens our work.
“To ChildFund, sister civil society organisations, community leaders and grassroots, your courage and dedication are the backbone of this commitment.’’
As the global community marks this year's event, Ms Houma reminded that their focus is clear: to highlight success stories, spotlight beneficiaries and share best practices.
By doing so, she added, they will not only honour the resilience of survivors and communities, but also demonstrate that change is possible, progress is being made and that together they can accelerate the momentum towards ending FGM.
She reminded that ending FGM requires the collective efforts of all survivors, while urging communities to commit to turning dialogue into action, pledges into progress and solidarity into lasting change.
For his part, Sunkung Danso, representative of ChildFund, underscored the importance of the event, highlighting the need for communities in Fonis to strengthen their advocacy and ensure that this old cultural practice is eradicated in the country.
Ndey Rose Sarr, Country Representative of the UNFPA, acknowledged that all those who spoke at the event really touched their hearts.
The project, she added, is part of a project that they are spearheading with ChildFund and other CSOs in the country that spoke at the ceremony.
The UNFPA Country rep reminded that in The Gambia, 51% of the population are women. She added that this reflects that they are more than the men and so their voices should be heard at all times.
“A bird with one wing cannot fly. We are not going anywhere, if half of the population, actually more than half of the population, is not empowered and have rights to be full citizen,” she stated.
To this end, she lauded this intergenerational dialogue, while emphasising the need for more comprehensive sexuality education in schools and even in communities.
‘‘We have young girls, boys, the older men. We had school children. Everyone came, which means that, as we all said in the panel, it's everyone's responsibility to end FGM,'’ she appeals.
Thus, she clarifies that comprehensive sexuality education is nothing more than the information that any young girl or boy needs to know so that they make informed choices, to avoid pregnancy as well as promiscuity.
She equally acknowledged the fact there are many Gambians in Spain, who are also showing solidarity with their Gambian families.
She thus mentioned that the international community also cares about the human situation and the girls of this country.
Also speaking, Inspector Eva Sobira, Policia Seneraitatce, Catalan, while showing gratitude, expressed delight to be associated with the event.
Inspector Sobira appreciates the advocacy currently on course in eradicating this cultural practice, further challenging communities to renew their advocacy on FGM and other harmful practices to end it.
Equally, she reminded that every girl deserves the right to a future full of possibilities.
Ali Nyassi, Chief of Foni Kansala, outlined the importance of the event to the communities of Fonis.
He enjoins other communities to amplify the call in ensuring that this harmful cultural practice becomes a thing of the past.
Besides, the event also showcased series of panel discussions involving different speakers on different themes surrounding FGM and other harmful cultural practices.
