50 women from Jaksaw Women’s Group of Lamin village in the Kombo North District, were on Monday awarded certificates during the ten-year celebration of Zahra Foundation of The Gambia at a ceremony held at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

The ceremony brought together Islamic scholars, activists, religious leaders, government officials and other dignitaries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Abubacarr Abdullah Senghore, senior lecturer and head of social science department, University of The Gambia, said that the event is significant in the calendar of muslim activities in the country, noting that education is the cornerstone of Islam as a civilisation and way of life.

He added that, the most effective way or means of preserving and protecting Islam is through education. He said, that is why the Islamic NGO’s, civil society organisations are involved in the forefront of global activities for the promotion and protection of Islam as a way of life.

According to him, before the organisation started their educational progamme, a lot of muslim  women did not know anything about their religion. “But out of sincerity, dedication and hard work of the Foundation under the able leadership of Sohna AJi Fatou Bin Njie, a large number of muslim women have now a wide knowldge  of different aspects of Islam as a way of life”, he said.

Dr Senghore further commended Sohna Aji Fatou Bin Njie for her tireless efforts in ensuring that many women are benefitting the knowledge of Quran through her Foundation. He therefore urged all muslims, individually or collectively to lend a hand in supporting the foundation, emphasizing that the efforts constitute a noble course. He quoted a verse from the Qu’ran which Allah described this kind of mission or profession as the noblest and most pleasing in the eyes of Allah. He finally reiterated that support is needed for the foundation.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Alasana Jammeh, Permanent Secretary Department of State for Local Government  and Religious Affairs; Sulayman Samba Permanent Secretary Department of State for Health and Social Welfare, Imam Ensa Darboe, Imam Banding Drammeh, President of the Supreme Islamic Council, Abdou Sarr, Lamin Dibba Director of NGO’s affairs, Shereign Abdul Aziz Dabah of Tiwawon Senegal, who all expressed similar sentiments. Also present at the ceremony were Dr Omar Jah, Aja Maimuna Yadalieu Savage and other personalities.

At least 50 women circumcisers, including traditional birth attendants and women leaders have participated in a three-day training on sexual and reproductive health rights and entrepreneurial skills in Basse, Upper River Region (URR).

The training - conducted by the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (Gamcotrap) in partnership with the Inter-Africa Committee and Equality Now - is aimed at providing alternative employment opportunities for trained ex-circumcisers who have stopped practicing female circumcision.

Speaking to the participants, the Assistant Governor of URR, MS Kah, congratulated Gamcotrap for its continuos struggle to support the women of URR to pursue their development agenda.

Mr Kah observed that the community sensitisation undertaken by Gamcotrap is encouraging as it discourages many people from practising FGM. URR Assistant Governor Kah called on the participants be good role models for their communities.

Dilating on the objectives of the training, the Executive Director of Gamcotrap, Dr Isatou Touray, noted that the leadership undertaken by the ex-circumcisers and their communities to stop FGM set the pace for the wind of change highlighted by the dropping of knives at the Independence Stadium on May 5, last year.

Dr Touray noted that poverty is one of the factors that perpetuates the practice of FGM, saying that providing entrepreneurial skills to the ex-circumcisers will contribute to better management of their small income generating activities, thereby contributing to reducing poverty at the household level.

Mariama Jaw, councilor for Basse, called on women to use their leadership influence to discourage FGM and its effects on women and girls. Ms Jaw promised to advocate for the eradication of all harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls.

She then finally commended Gamcotrap for building confidence amongst women to effectively participate in community and national development.

In a separate development at the OSIWA-supported community sensitisation activity that gathered over 100 women from Giroba Kunda and surrounding villages in URR, Ms Jaw expressed the necessity for women to be encouraged to participate in political issues that will advance the course of women in society.

It was observed that women had always taken leadership at the household level to improve the welfare of the family and the community; however, it is important for women to extend that leadership role to the national level as part of the women’s empowerment process.

The sensitisation also included awareness creation on harmful traditional practices and sexual and reproductive health rights.

Meanwhile, URR Governor Omar Khan has commended Gamcotrap for its sustained engagement in the region and expressed optimism that his region will be the first FGM-free zone in The Gambia. He made these remarks during a courtesy call paid to him by the women.

A learned Islamic scholar in Basse, Saikou Fayinke, the Alkalo of Kaba Kama, Aja Fatou Danso, national women’s councilor, Aja Kumba Kora, were among several dignitaries who attended the activities.