Female genital mutilation is a horrific traditional practice which still has not been eradicated.

When my mother first told me about the mutilation of women and girls in aid of...? Well, nothing basically but some old fashioned out of date beliefs which make no sense and of course the control of women. I could not believe my ears.

A Ward Councillor for a semi rural area of Gambia stated that “...it has come to light that FGM has no religious significance, furthermore women and children are suffering from its effects.” For years excuses such as cleanliness, religion and good health were used to justify such practices. I was shocked that such things went on and still happen in my beloved Africa.

A health officer for Sami Karantaba village in Gambia cited the case of a girl who died, while on referral to a major hospital due to uncontrolled bleeding caused by FGM. This is a harmful traditional practice which traumatises and undermines women. Nothing to do with religion, Islam or any other, health or anything else.

I found out more that these practices of female circumcision, (cutting away the tip of the clitoris or sometimes much more depending on the preference of the people of that particular area. They even sew up the virgina sometimes to prevent intercourse. They would then be opened up a bit before marriage) were more often than not done in out of town rural areas. Therefore in unbelievably backward ways without anaesthesia or medication for after care.

Procedures are often done with a piece of broken glass, a dirty knife, razor or similar. This thought always disturbs me, sending shivers down my spine. So how traumatising must this be to actually go through and suffer, physically and mentally?

Well this abuse and violation scars many women and girls for the rest of their lives with long term discomfort and psychological problems. The girls and women experience issues with childbirth, sex, incontinence and much more. That’s not even taking into account flashbacks of the event, since they are conscious and held down!

GAMCOTRAP is the not-for-profit committee in Banjul, The Gambia who works tirelessly to eradicate and bring a law against these types of outdated practices against women. They are led by their executive director Dr Isatou Touray. My mother belonged to this group of inspirational fighters.

The Gambian Committee on Traditional Practices, GAMCOTRAP for short. Gam from Gambia, Co from committee, Tra from traditional and P from Practice forms their original name.

Said committee was set up in 1984, following a regional conference on the subject in Dakar, Senegal. The country which surrounds Gambia on all sides apart from one, where the Atlantic Ocean lies. Dr Touray their director reminisced that ten years ago, GAMCOTRAP led the first dropping of the knife to celebrate the first group of 18 circumcisers in 63 communities, giving up their jobs as ‘cutters.’ At the time she adds “we were not sure if we would witness the banning of FGM in The Gambia during our lifetime”. But they did in 2016, FGM is now banned in The Gambia but sadly still goes on illegally. So work continues to encourage women to stop this awful practice for the good of women everywhere as unfortunately in some cases this is women abusing other women.

GAMCOTRAP’s objectives are to:

• Create awareness of the effects of harmful traditional practices on the health of girls and women; in particular female genital mutilation, FGM, nutritional taboos, HIV & AIDS, early marriages and wife inheritance.

• Promote positive practices that empower female sexuality.

• Sensitise and lobby decision makers about socio-cultural practices that are harmful to the health of young girls.

I hear that female circumcision is available on Harley St, London which is not good and also illegal? But at least anaesthetic would be used. Plus the best after care I guess and at least any necessary meds. If it’s true, this shows the extent people will go to, in order to continue outdated but entrenched traditions. Did you know that fear and threat of FGM is recognised as a justification for claiming asylum in the UK?

A spokesperson for the Home Office said “The UK has a proud record of offering protection to those in genuine need...Female Genital Mutilation is child abuse and has no place in our society.”

I write in memory of my late Mum who as a journalist was a big part in the fight to eliminate such injustice towards women and children, may she continue to rest in peace.

When my Mother, Mrs Bijou Bidwell (maiden name Peters) passed in 2014, in Fajara, Banjul, Gambia. GAMCOTRAP visited the family. Their account on Facebook goes like this: “In another engagement, GAMCOTRAP visited the family of late Ms Bijou Peters an honorary life board member of GAMCOTRAP at their residence in Fajara, to pay condolence to the bereaved family. One of her daughters Oremie Bidwell received GAMCOTRAP staff and thanked them for the love her mother found in serving the cause.” My tribute to her noted as much by saying how “..one of her particular concerns was the work and beliefs of GAMCOTRAP.”

My Mum recommended a book to me, so I will end by suggesting it to you (it’s the picture at the top of this article). It is old and first published in 1988 but still relevant. Do They Hear You When You Cry by Fauziya Kassindja is available on Amazon and tells “..the dramatic, compulsively readable story of a woman fighting to free herself from the injustices of her culture. Fauziya Kassindja’s harrowing story begins in Togo, West Africa...”

https://gamcotrap.org