By: Nyima Sillah
Women Rights Advocate, Tala Camara, has said Female Genital Mutilation (FGM); sensitization program should be extended to girls at the ‘Madrasas’(Arabic/Islamic schools).
“When I went to the parliament to attend the consultation, I showed young girls who were influenced by their Oustases to go and fight something that will affect their future. I believe we have failed the young girls at the madrassas. We have to go to these places and educate the girls about FGM,” Tala told The Voice in an interview.
She states that as activists and advocates it is their responsibility to educate girls at the madrasas to have a better understanding of female genital mutilation and its impacts.
“There is a lot of work that needs to be done because for us to end FGM we have to change the mindsets and in doing so, we the activists have to revisit the methods we used to use because we based our advocacy in schools and most cases madrassas are left out,” Tala asserted.
Tala, who is also the National Youth Council regional vice chairperson of URR, pointed out that despite having the FGM law girls were still subjected to this practice, adding they understand that some people are taken across the borders to go through the practice.
“I am from URR and according to statistics; FGM/C is highly practiced there so we understand that our girls are still subjected to this practice even though there is a law that criminalizes the act. So, for religious leaders to come out to say this law should be repealed is like more girls are vulnerable,” she stated.
She opined that some families could be “crazy” as they would go to any length to claim to fight in the name ofreligion. “This is not a religious fight because all the men that are championing this are just doing it for their self-interest.”
The advocate expressed her helplessness for not being able to help girls in her area who are going through the practice, adding it is the government’s responsibility to take care of women & girls and take their issues seriously.
