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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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