The caravan, which targeted regional women, local council and district authorities, seeks to remind communities about women rights and participation in ending harmful cultural practice such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and gender-based violence. It is also meant to promote the FGM laws in the country.
Welcoming the delegation in her region, Fatou Jammeh Touray, Governor of North Bank Region, lauded the initiative by Gender Platform in mobilising women and youth to promote their rights in communities.
The NBR Governor reminded them about the importance of unity and togetherness to be able to achieve any meaningful development.
“It is high time we have a concrete discussion together to protect the future generation.” she stated.
She also alluded that change could only happen ‘if people target the youth and those who are yet to understand the system.
Ansumana Kinteh, Police Commissioner in the North Bank Region, highlighted the importance and implementation of laws and noted that anything that does not go by the law, the law does not support it.
Commissioner Kinteh talked about the trials and tribulations young girls go through especially harmful cultural practice such as FGM and child marriage, which he said, are all against the laws of the country.
He indicated that the Police are there to implement the law and that they will enforce their duties according to the law.
He also revealed that most of the time parents interfere with the law, adding that this sometimes cause a lot of suffering on the girl-child.
Jonsaba Jawara, NBR rural women committee leader, who reflected on her experience about the use of a common substance locally called ‘taba’, acknowledged that women need to help themselves first so that they could be better examples for their children.
The substance, she added, is doing more harm than good in the society.
The NBR Women leader also talked about the importance of enforcing laws, acknowledging that people need to respect the law.
Sophie Manneh, talked about the stages and dangers of FGM and the use of the local substance ‘taba’.
Others speakers included Mansata Fatty and Marie Darbo, all members of a district tribunal in the region.
