Monday 2nd October saw the start of a 6 month project for JUST ACT, the NYC registered youth organisation. JUST ACT sought and were successful in gaining funding from The Girl Generation to provide community training and advocacy on FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) in four areas of Central River Region. The training began October 2nd 2017 in Kaur. Further areas will be Wassu / Janjanbureh, Brikamaba and Bansang.
This grant reflects the increasing recognition of Just Act by various organisations and is leading ever increasingly to its independence. Just Act Gambia will continue to support in the background. Congratulations to Just Act.
The training was provided by our Gambian Director Omar Jammeh who recently completed intensive training on this aspect and Justice MC Saidykham whose report is copied here
Just Act Concludes FGM Training in Kaur
The Gambia is a highly patriarchal society in which male dominance and superiority is rooted in the historical and cultural background of the Gambian society. This has consequently resulted to the high rate of gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and child marriage in particular. Girls who are subjected to such practices are vulnerable to many life threatening issues especially in the areas of health and general wellbeing. To this extend Janjanbureh Uniting Sustainable Tourism and Community Training (JUSTACT) commenced their community training on FGM series in the Central River settlement of Kaur in a day long advocacy program on Monday. The program is funded under the grants of The Girls Generation (TGG) as regards to their campaign to end FGM in a generation. The one day training was attended by youth leaders, community members, traditional birth attendants, women leaders and others that sum up to 25 participants from Lower and Upper Saloum and Janjanbureh. Speaking at the opening ceremony the Director of Just Act Gambia Omar Jammeh thanked the funders for the support for this will help in trying the reach the communities in the advocacy for FGM in the Gambia. "FGM is a deep-rooted inequality between male and female, and constitutes a life-threatening form of discrimination against women and girls. The practice also violates their rights to health, security and physical integrity, their right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and their right to life when the procedure results in death" Jammeh stated. The chief of Lower Saloum, Ali Gaye Touray, in his opening remarks urge the young people to continue to be the driving force against this harmful practice. "To support the abolition of FGM, harmonized and logical efforts are needed, and they must engage whole communities and focus on human rights and gender equality. These efforts should emphasize societal dialogue and the empowerment of communities to act collectively to end the practice " chief Gaye Touray said. The alkalo of Kaur ,Janneh Kunda Sainey Janneh, Lady Councilor of Balanghar ward, Isatou Secka and other speakers all stressed on similar things.Similar trainings will follow in 3 other communities in Central River Region soon!!
Read more about The Girl Generation here
Read about how they came to be here:
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