By: Ansu Fatty
Bintou Gassama, Director of Women’s Bureau has admitted that irrespective of the necessary legislations promulgated by the country Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision (FGM/C) is still existing in The Gambia even though the practice have banned in the country.
The Women’s Bureau Director made the revelation on the sidelines of a three days training for journalists, where she also disclosed Early Child Marriage has not being eradicated totally in the country.
In 2015, Gambia government places ban on the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision as well as banning Early Child Marriage in 2016, citing a fine of fifty thousand dalasi (D50, 000) or three years imprisonment for offenders.
However, even after the ban of the practice the long held traditions seems unabated with reports indicating over 77 percent of the population are still practicing FGM/C, while communities within the Central River Region and Upper River Regions still practicing Early Child Marriage.
According to her, FGM/C and Early Marriage are inimical to the growth and livelihood of the girl child, noting that her department is doing everything possible to curtail this menace in the Gambian societies. She said Gender Based Violence of any kind should be discourage in the country in entirety.
“Gender Based Violence still continuous to hinder progress of women and girls in this country which is against the basic human rights of women and girls. Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision (FGM/C) and Child Marriage still continue to be very high even after the ban of FGM/C in 2015 and Child Marriage in 2016 respectively,” said Madam Gassama.
Director Gassama calls on all stakeholders especially the media to intensify their campaign in bringing these issues to an end, while calling on parents to desist from these acts that seriously affect the growth potential of the girl child.
She reminded nationals that the law is in place and anyone found wanting in the practicing FGM/C is liable for three years imprisonment with a fine of fifty thousand dalasis, while calling on each and sundry to report any case relating to the practice of FGM/C and Early Child Marriage.
