Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP
By Buba Gagigo
As part of its ongoing efforts to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, GAMCOTRAP has donated six milling machines to former female circumcision practitioners in the North Bank Region. The organization describes this donation as providing alternative livelihoods to help support the fight against FGM.
The beneficiaries, from the communities of Toro Alhassan, Madina Kanuma, Bakindiki, Bakalarr, Sika, and Tambana, received the machines to support their transition to sustainable livelihoods. This initiative aims to economically empower these women while reinforcing efforts to protect girls and women from FGM.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP, highlighted the importance of the initiative.
“This today marks the official launching of 6 milling machines in the North Bank Region, a project made possible through the generous support of the UNFPA Country Program, as well as donor direct action, Frontline Women. This initiative is part of our broader mission to create sustainable alternative employment opportunities for ex circumcisers and to support their transition from harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation to activities that uphold the dignity and well-being of girls and women’s rights. We all recognize the critical role that ex circumcises play in the cultural and social fabric of our communities. They have the unique ability to lead change from within, helping to shift long-standing practices, and social norms, by raising awareness about the dangers of FGM and other forms of sexual and gender based violence,” she said.
The six milling machines were fully funded by the UNFPA Country Programme, aimed at celebrating the success of upholding the law by providing ex-circumcisers with the opportunity to engage in economic activities of their choice. Lamin Camara, the UNFPA representative, emphasized the critical need to end this harmful practice in order to safeguard the well-being of girls.”We are excited to be here to present these milling machines to these ex-circumcisers. But for the most important thing here is the fact these women have decided to abandon the FGM practice while not being forced or given any money. They do just to protect the girl child,” he said.
The Chief of Jarra West, Yahya Jarjusey, who attended the event, stated that the machines would provide the ex-circumcisers with stainable employment opportunities.”The official announced the launching of six milling machines by support from UNFPA and donor direct action, emphasizing the transformative role these will play by providing ex circumcisers with sustainable employment opportunities tearing them away from harmful practice” he said.
Former circumciser Tumbull Jarjou shared that she had practised circumcision for over ten years but chose to stop after recognizing the harmful effects it has on young girls.
“I inherited it from my mother. I have been practising it for ten years now, but now I know it’s harmful and all of us don’t pray for our children to go through it. They are the future leaders and I cannot participate in anything that will harm them. To maintain peace, I have stopped it forever,” she said.