GAMCOTRAP trains police officers on effects of FGM

The GIZ funded training held at NaNA Conference Hall brought together senior police and child welfare officials from the Gambia Police Force (GPF).

The initiative aimed at educating senior police officers about the negative health effects of FGM and its complications on the health of women and girls.

The project is supported by the German Federal Fund Office and co-funded by European Union.

In a brief explanation of the activity objectives, Marion Pop, Head of the Police Component Joint German-EU Support Program in The Gambia, said that the GIZ program’s goal is to support and increase police capability in terms of crime prevention on matters linked to Sexual and Gender Based Violence and FGM.

She further said that the training and sensitisation are meant to raise awareness of participants on FGM.

According to her, the primary goal of the GIZ initiative in The Gambia for the coming year is to combat FGM and SGBV.

Dr. Isatou Touray, the Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP, hailed the initiative which seeks to engage police officials to deliberate on a pertinent but sensitive issue in The Gambia.

The activist held that the police must be empowered with the right information to be able to do their duties effectively when such issues surfaces across their line of duty.

She emphasized that it is very important for the Police officers to engage with GAMCOTRAP as a women’s rights organisation to discuss harmful practices that affect the health and wellbeing of women and the girl-child as well as the role of the police in protecting them and working towards a better life and better health for women and girls.

Aja Fatou Jallow, from the GFP said the training has improved their understanding of the health effects of FGM, adding that as law enforcers, it is their duty to hold those engaged in the practice of FGM accountable.

She also highlighted that it is crucial to work with GAMCOTRAP and GIZ as partners to educate communities and people about the repercussions of FGM, as well as correct common misconceptions about the practice.