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Gambian journalists trained on covering FGM, domestic violence
Friday, 03 September 2010 23:11
By Abdoulie JohnMore than 40 Gambian journalists drawn from the print, electronic and online media are presently undergoing a-three day training on Harmful Traditional Practices and Domestic Violence, at Baobab Holiday Resorts, Bijilo.
Organised by the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting The Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), through the
support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Joint Programme to Accelerate the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the initiative, lasting from -4 September, 2010, offers media practitioners in senior management level an opportunity to reflect on the way to support effective and progressive reporting on harmful traditional practices and domestic violence. For Jerreh Sanyang, representative of the Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, the training session is in line with the country’s Information and Communication Act 2009. This, he said, will help to build the capacity of programme managers, editors and senior reporters on issues related to FGM and other forms of gender based violence, thus ensuring balance and accurate reporting of FGM issues.
“The training will in essence ensure that media practitioners have a better understanding of gender specific issues and would enhance the quality of their broadcast programmes and newspapers,” he said.
Acknowledging its deep rooted nature in Gambian tradition, Sanyang emphasized that it is crucial for journalists to know that uprooting FGM requires a lot of patience and massive awareness and sensitization, while at the same time respecting and appreciating the views of those committed to and practicing it until they join the fight against one of the most atrocious traditional cultural legacies.
The Executive Director of Gamcotrap, Dr Isatou Touray, seized the opportunity to recall that her organization has over the past years taken the initiative to share information with media practitioners on the health effects of FGM on the sexual and reproductive heath and rights of women and girls.
“We are now beginning to see the evidence of the impact of those initiatives from responsible reporting monitored on the subject matter; which has become a hallmark of many media houses particularly the print media.”
Far from succumbing to a sort of over-optimism, Gambia’s emblematic figure in the fight against FGM urged journalists to first believe in the advocacy and adhere to the principles of protecting women and children in the midst of resistance.
“Women and men,” she said, “depend on the information given through your media. “Therefore, a social revolution for ending FGM also lies in your hands,” she told journalists.
Placing the debate in a global context, the National Programme Officer on Gender and FGM at UNFPA, Fatou Kinteh, stated that traditional practices have become a recognized issue concerning the status and human rights of women and female children.
“The slogan ‘women’s rights are human rights’, adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, as well as the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against women adopted by the UN General Assembly in the same year, captured the reality on the status accorded to women,” she stated.
It is for this reason, she added, that UNFPA supports institutions that advocate the abandonment of harmful traditional practices that affect the health of women and girls.
Expectations are high to see that the three-day training improves journalists’ ability to navigate between choices of words and terms and thus prevent the media from unintentionally sending the wrong message. As the Gambia has not yet signaled its intention to enact a law against FGM, participants are calling for the country’s lawmakers to address this issue in passing a law banning what is considered by many as abominable and detestable crime against mankind.
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Comments
And finally, I will refere you to the comment of Mr. Mafuji eher for you to see how those with good thinking capacity look upon things in mother Africa !
Mafuji's Comment:
They are just another body milking fund from the west and the international community. Can you please publish the salary of their staff and their acievement in stopping the FGM in the Gambia.
Keep it burning brother Mafuji, you are thetypes we are looking on here !
And finally, I will refere you to the comment of Mr. Mafuji eher for you to see how those with good thinking capacity look upon things in mother Africa !
In the service of which I remain
For God's sake, tHis is not about religion. It is not only Muslims that practice circumcision. Please, refrain from you constant perpetuation of religious arguement here on this forum... As far as I know since I started reading this site from its inseption, no one attacks any religion here, which gives no room for religious battle here. Please, please, please!
Lalo Kebba, you said:"The wagon you want me to join, I was on board of it without seeing any benefit for it towards my African culture this was why I disembarkated walking on my African bear footed as known to you and them (The WAZUNGU)"
I bet you even though you "disembarkated walking on my African bear footed" you still go with shoes, right? Why not stop wearing shoes then, since it is the Wazungu idea?
Sister Marie, Call me a Banana "IF" this will not happen one day when they secceeded in the Female
So, Be there with your beliving of the "Wazungu style" and I be with mine, we are living in a democratic world, If these "Wazungu" want us to be christians, let them leave us to dance to an African tune not theirs !
Mr. Kalilu or Khaleel as in original form of your name, try to read history so that you can be there to defend mother Africa one day !
The wagon you want me to join, I was on board of it without seeing any benefit for it towards my African culture this was why I disembarkated walking on my African bear footed as known to you and them (The WAZUNGU)
In the service of Mother Africa I remain
In the service of Africa I remain
Male circumcision is widely practiced in many cultures (including in the US and Europe). It has several health benefits, including providing some protection against HIV infection. Female genital cutting, on the other hand, is a harmful practice which can lead to numerous and lifelong health problems including infections, complications in labor and even death.
See the difference?
You are very far behind. You better join the wagon beofre it is too late?
In the service of mother Africa I remain
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