The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (Gamcotrap) last Wednesday organised a day-long consultative forum on the draft document against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) held at the Kaira Konko Scout headquarters in Soma, Lower River Region (LRR).

In his opening remarks, Lamin Waa Juwara, the governor of LRR, said that harmful practices such as FGM should be quickly eradicated. He acknowledged the efforts of Gamcotrap in bring the document to the grassroots level for the people to have better understanding of it.
He called on stakeholders to join Gamcotrap in sensitising the people on the dangers of FGM.

In his welcome remarks, Honourable Sedia Jatta, the chairperson of the board of directors of Gamcotrap, called on FGM advocacy groups to involve religious leaders and scholars to sensitise the public. He highlighted the necessity to enlighten people on the draft document being proposed by stakeholders, noting that 19 countries including Senegal have made laws against FGM.

Dr. Isatou Touray, the director of Gamcotrap, called for close collaboration, adding that stakeholders should have a common agenda for the advancement of women in The Gambia, instead of participating in the conflict of interest.

She urged the critical actors to see the initiative as a government bill based on national, sub-regional and international commitment, instead of Gamcotrap being seen as the brain child of the bill. Alhagie Kolley, a representative of UNFPA,  made similar remarks at the forum.