Time to “Drop the Knife” for FMG in The Gambia

[theHandpuppet]

Time to “Drop the Knife” for FMG in The Gambia
by Saikou Jammeh (banjul)
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Inter Press Service

BANJUL, Jul 13 (IPS) - Women's rights activists in the Gambia are insisting that more than 30 years of campaigning to raise awareness should be sufficient to move the government to outlaw female genital mutilation (FMG).

The practice remains widespread in this tiny West African country of 1.8 million people, but rights activists believe that their campaign has now reached the tipping point.

Two years ago, GAMCOTRAP, an apolitical non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to the promotion and protection of women and girl children's political, social, sexual, reproductive health and educational rights in The Gambia, and one of the groups behind the anti-FGM campaign, sponsored a draft bill which has been subjected to wide stakeholder consultations.

Several previous attempts to legislate against FGM have failed, with no fewer than three pro-women laws having had clauses on FGM removed from draft bills. But activists now appear determined to make the final push and hope that when introduced this time round, the bill will go through....

MORE at http://www.globalissues.org/news/2014/07/13/19747

[libodem]

1. I read the Secret of Joy

By Alice Walker back in the 90's. It put a personal spin on this absurd unsanitary practice. It should not happen to anyone. Especially not against her will.