Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-04-05 10:04:35
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a practice that has sparked outrage and concern in The Gambia as lawmakers consider lifting the ban on this harmful procedure. Aisha Jallow, in her impassioned essay, expresses her disbelief and disgust at the prospect of reversing the ban on FGM in the country.
Aisha, typically a writer who begins her essays the weekend before publication, admits that the seriousness of the topic has left her filled with anger and frustration, making it difficult to gather her thoughts. She highlights that despite the many atrocities committed by former President Yahya Jammeh, the ban on FGM was a positive step that safeguarded the lives and health of thousands of girls in The Gambia.
The proposed bill to lift the ban on FGM has stirred controversy, with legislator Almameh Gibba arguing that it violates citizens’ rights to practice their culture and religion. Aisha questions the notion of “religious loyalty” and calls out the Gambian tendency to use religion as a shield to silence opposition.
Explaining the barbarity of FGM, Aisha clarifies that it involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. She vividly describes the brutal procedure where girls are subjected to excruciating pain, without anesthesia or proper tools, by women lacking medical training.
Aisha draws a stark comparison between male circumcision, often performed for hygiene reasons, and FGM, which serves no purpose other than to control girls’ sexuality in a cruel manner. She emphasizes the physical and psychological trauma inflicted on girls who undergo FGM, highlighting the lifelong consequences of this harmful practice.
The essay delves into the harrowing details of how FGM is carried out, painting a vivid picture of the agony and humiliation suffered by girls during the procedure. Aisha denounces the lack of proper care and support for girls post-FGM, leading to complications and sometimes fatal consequences.
In a scathing rebuke, Aisha condemns the lawmakers pushing to reverse the ban on FGM, questioning their priorities and urging them to prioritize the well-being and rights of Gambian girls and women. She calls out Almameh Gibba, urging him to abandon his efforts to undermine the progress made in protecting girls from this abhorrent practice.
The powerful essay serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency to safeguard the rights and dignity of girls and women in The Gambia, emphasizing that FGM has no place in any civilized society. Aisha’s impassioned plea resonates with readers, urging them to join the fight against FGM and support the protection of vulnerable girls and women.
Read the original article on The Standard
