Wassu Gambia Kafo (WGK), with support from UNICEF The Gambia, has established 70 Grandmothers and Fathers Clubs across the six districts of the Lower River Region (LRR) as part of efforts to strengthen community-led action against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other harmful traditional practices.
The initiative seeks to engage influential community members, particularly grandmothers and fathers, in promoting positive social and behavioural change, protecting children’s rights and improving the well-being of women and girls.
The intervention is being implemented under the National Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Strategy, recognising the important role of families and traditional structures in shaping cultural practices and decisions affecting children.
According to project information, the clubs comprise 40 Grandmothers Clubs and 30 Fathers Clubs, whose members are expected to serve as community advocates and champions against harmful practices.
As part of the implementation process, WGK organised a five-day co-creation workshop involving government institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs and interfaith organisations to develop a training manual to guide the clubs’ activities. The manual was subsequently pilot-tested and validated to ensure its relevance and suitability for local communities.
The organisation also conducted stakeholder engagements involving Technical Advisory Committee members, Chiefs and Alkalos to secure community support and ownership of the intervention.
On October 23, 2026, WGK organised a Training of Trainers workshop for members of the Multi-Disciplinary Facilitation Teams (MDFTs), equipping them with knowledge and skills in child protection, prevention of harmful traditional practices and community-level behavioural change.
The trained facilitators are expected to guide and supervise the clubs as they undertake community awareness and engagement activities.
The intervention also includes community dialogues in Wellingaraba, Jappineh Marikoto, Sankwia, Kolior Sulla, Tendaba and Sankandi.
Additionally, WGK plans to organise radio discussions through Soma Radio, where trained grandmothers and fathers will lead conversations in local languages under the supervision of MDFT members.
The radio programmes are expected to extend awareness beyond the participating communities and encourage wider public discussion on FGM, child protection and positive social norms.
Through the initiative, WGK aims to strengthen community ownership and collective responsibility in protecting girls and promoting the abandonment of harmful traditional practices.
