The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) in collaboration with the University of The Gambia Student Union (UTGSU) on Wednesday convened a day's seminar on gender and female genital mutilation (FGM) for the University's Student at the Girls Guides along the MDI Road, Kanifing.

The symposium was aimed at sensitising the students on gender and FGM issues as they attend the highest learning institution  of the country. In his welcoming remarks, Ansumana Ceesay, the secretary general of the UTGSU, on behalf of the president, described the seminar as timely, noting that it will help to increase the awareness of the students on gender and FGM. He further described gender equity as important, adding that there cannot be any development when one gender is absent. He urged the students to make best use of the knowledge gained.

Dr Isatou Touray of Gamcotrap said the main aim of the seminar was to increase the awareness of the students. She said the students are the future leaders and need to be educated especially on gender issue, citing the need for gender equality among men and women. For her, one gender cannot go without the other and women should not be discriminated against during decision making processes. She advised the people to be sensitive about gender and what it means.

For her part, Amie Bojang-Sissoho of Gamcotrap, said FGM has a negative impact on the reproductive and sexual health and rights of women and girls. She noted that the practice is a dangerous act that causes shock, pain, bleeding and urine retention in the victims.

She cited the need for people to be sensitised on the negative impacts of this practice particularly students of such a high learning institution, who are the future parents of tomorrow, in order not to involve their children in such negative acts. She also urged parents to respect the rights of children by not harming the bodies of their female children.