THE GAMBIA: A "GOOD NEWS STORY" IN THE CAMPAIGN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANJUL 000241 SIPDIS SIPDIS SECSTATE FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AF/PD, AND DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV SCUL GA SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: A "GOOD NEWS STORY" IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST FGM BANJUL 00000241 001.2 OF 002 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. In a bright spot on the human rights front here, a local NGO staged a "celebration" May 5 to mark an achievement in its campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) -- the decision by 18 female circumsisers to halt the practice. However, the NGO's head warned about expatriate circumsisers undoing gains in the campaign. In remarks at the event, the Health Minister gave a measured endorsement to the anti-FGM effort. The conservative Supreme Islamic Council was conspicuous by its absence. While bringing about total elimination of FGM in The Gambia will be a lengthy process, ethe May 5 event underscored the progress achieved to date. END SUMMARY. OVERVIEW -------------- ¶2. Amidst the general downturn in the overall human rights environment in The Gambia, there are occasionally bright spots. One occurred on May 5, as a prominent local NGO, The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) staged a major event against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). In a four-hour open-air ceremony at a sports stadium attended by, inter alia, GOTG officials, traditional and religous leaders, civil society representatives, diplomats (Ambassador was on hand) and media reps, GAMCOTRAP, supported by a foreign NGO, Save the Children (Swedish branch),celebrated the decision of 18 veteran female circumcisers nationwide to halt their practice. The colorful event, with the overarching theme of "Dropping the Knife," was marked by musical and dance performances by assorted cultural groups as well as speeches. In the occasion's climax, the 18 former female circumcisers recited an oath to halt FGM in their respective communities. LAYING THE GROUNDWORK -------------- ¶3. In their speeches, the GAMCOTRAP reps, led by their dynamic and engaging Executive Director, Isatou Touray, portrayed the May 5 celebration as the culmination of the NGO's painstaking effort at the grassroots level to sensitize the populace to the dangers of "harmful traditional practices", first and foremost FGM, but also such practices as child marriage. The GAMCOTRAP speakers made a point of recognizing local officials, Muslim religious figures, and other community leaders providing support for the anti-FGM campaign. They also proudly announced that the fifty or so young girls seated in a VIP section had been spared FGM and stressed the imperative of eliminating the practice throughout The Gambia. A SOMBER NOTE -------------- ¶4. However, GAMCOTRAP head Touray introduced a somber note into the otherwise joyful proceedings with her assertion that gains in the anti-FGM campaign risked being undone by the presence in The Gambia of "expatriate circumsisers" who continued the practice. (NOTE: Touray did not elaborate on the identity of these expatriates, but gave the impression that they were primarily from neighboring West African countries. END NOTE) She went on to call for passage of legislation specifically outlawing FGM and for government assistance to circumcisers giving up the practice so as to compensate them for lost income. (NOTE: GAMCOTRAP itself is already providing such assistance as job training to the 18 women honored at the event. END NOTE) THE HEALTH MINISTER'S MEASURED PRESENTATION -------------- ¶5. Health Minister Tamsir Mbowe was the senior GOTG official in attendance. He delivered a measured speech, describing as "commendable" the decision "to abandon the surgical aspect of the sociocultural institution of female circumcision." On the other hand, he warned that elimination of FGM "should not extend to the denigration of the education, traditional wisdom, and knowledge identified with the process of socialization." Mbowe added, "we all want good health, the absence of ailments,and no willful causing of harm to any of our organs; however, let us not throw away the baby with the birth water." ABSENCE OF LEADING ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION -------------- --- BANJUL 00000241 002.2 OF 002 ¶6. Various muslim religious figures were on hand, and a female Imam (preacher) led the prayer that opened the event. However, the conservative Supreme Islamic Council (SIC),an advisory body to the GOTG, was conspicuous by its absence. The absence was not surprising, as SIC reps have previously indicated support for FGM. A prominent theme in the day's speeches was that neither Islam nor any other religion stipulates FGM -- a fact that the SIC has sought to obscure in its statements on the issue. A FINAL THOUGHT -------------- ¶7. GAMCOTRAP head Touray would be the first to admit that the anti-FGM campaign has a long way to go in bringing about the total elimination of the practice in The Gambia. Nonetheless, we find remarkable the NGO's success to date in enlisting support for the anti-FGM cause at the grass-roots level -- including among some long-time practitioners themselves. Also noteworthy is the success of GAMCOTRAP and others in lobbying the GOTG, as evidenced by the Health Minister's presence and supportive statement, albeit measured, at the May 5 "celebration." STAFFORD