GAMCOTRAP, one of the NGOs leading the combat against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, has now embarked on a constructive dialogue regarding the issue of female circumcision and other harmful traditional practices that are inimical to the health and well being of women and girl-children.

Following the Muslim World Conference held in Rabat, Morocco there has been a consensus to address the issue of female genital mutilation strategically. For GAMCOTRAP, the issue of FGM has been on the centre stage among some Muslim scholars, and women and children’s rights activists in the Gambia. The bone of contention was on the religious dimensions where some Muslim Scholars of National standing have been ambivalent about the stance of Islam regarding FGM.

The Organisation of Islamic conference (OIC) and the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), both of which The Gambia is a member organised a meeting of Ministers, Politicians and religious leaders from 50 Muslim states in Rabat, Morocco for 2 days to reflect on the first Islamic Childhood Conference. The Gambia is well known for having some prominent scholars who learn on religious arguments to dismiss women’s rights issues. Even though The Gambia is a secular state, the personal status law of the Muslim women is governed by the Shariah because the majority of the population are Muslim.

Following the outcome of the Rabat meeting of OIC and ISESCO member states, today we are happy to inform the public that
GAMCOTRAP and other women’s rights organisations as well as the NGO Community including the contributions of the State
Department of Health and the International Community in the Gambia are vindicated.

The outcome of the Rabat meeting resulted to a ‘Rabat Declaration’ which places special emphasis on the issue of Female Genital Mutilation and other harmful traditional practices discriminating girls and justifying it with religious arguments to perpetuate those harmful practices. The outcome of the meeting is significant for activists and advocates on children and women rights. In the meeting reflections were made and several other related issues such as early child marriage and other related gender based violence are discussed.

The summary of the Rabat Declaration calls all Muslim states to:

• Take the necessary measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls and all harmful traditional or customary
practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

• To protect children from all forms of exploitation, abuse, torture and violence.

These were high on the agenda of the meeting and the declaration urged all Muslim countries where female genital mutilation
is practiced to act strongly against the NON-ISLAMIC TRADITION.

Similarly, governments were asked to enact and implement proper legislations and formulate where appropriate, national plans,
programmes and strategies protecting girls with reference to the practice of female genital mutilation.

The above declaration resonates with what Women’s Rights activists have been doing for the past twenty years, GAMCOTRAP in
particular has engaged in the advocacy work in the Gambia since 1984. The debate started within the Women’s Bureau as a
specialised committee which emanated from the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies (NFLS) in 1975 through to Dakar in 1984. The Women’s Movement has been calling attention to the effects of FGM on women’s and children sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The biggest stumbling block for the Gambia regarding the issue of FGM was the belief that it is a religious injunction and as a result many women were very steadfast in adhering to the practice. Those who are very stoical about this perspective are among highly recognised Muslim scholars.

The Supreme Islamic Council also has been sitting on the fence regarding the practice and this has created a situation where
women who are not convinced by the issues raised by activists engage in the practice. The reason for this is, men are associated with the knowledge of Islam and their voices carry more weight even if they are wrong or ignorant of the issues at
stake. We have also encountered subtle resistances from various quarters regarding the elimination of FGM. We are glad that
through constructive dialogue with the NAMS the reservations placed on the Maputo protocol has been removed.

At the same time the FGM advocates are not given access to some personalities in the UN system because they are advocating
women’s rights and gender based violence.

This has nothing to do with those personalities per se but the intermediaries between them and the women’s movement who see
themselves in such strategic positions to subterfuge the efforts being made to liberate women and children. A duty GAMCOTRAP
feels should be the responsibility of every citizen in responsible position of power is to facilitate a positive change for women.

For the latest information on the situation on FGM, The Commission on the Status of Women in its 52nd Session, 25 February to
March 7th have conclusions and resolutions regarding ending Female Genital Mutilation.

Please refer to the following article in the CSW address: E/CN.6/2008/L.3. Other relevant documentation on matters regarding
women and the rights of the child are also available.