The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the health of women and children (GAMCOTRAP) with support from the Inter African Committee on Traditional Practices based in Addis Ababa has provided over one hundred thousand dalasi (D100,000,00) to nineteen circumcisers from the Upper and Central Regions to engage in alternative employment opportunities project.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Dr Isatou Touray, the Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP, said that the process involved series of trainings to create awareness amongst circumcisers on the effect of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other harmful traditional practices.

Dr Touray called on the communities to support the circumcisers and emphasised the need for bringing up girls in al positive manner to be good role models in society without harm.

The chief of Kantora, Alhagie Bachu Ceesay of Garawol, Alkalo Lasana Manneh of Basse manneh Kunda amongst others reminded the circumcisers that they voluntarily stopped the practice of FGM after getting the facts about the event it has on sexual and reproductive health and they also called on them to make best use of the opportunity provided to them to enhance their economic status.

The Alkalo of Kaba Kama, Aji Fatou Danso commended GAMCOTRAP for the approach it takes to present facts on FGM with  respect and dignity in the communities. She noted that the support given to the circumcisers will go a long way towards addressing poverty in their families while protecting girls from harm.

In receiving the support, all the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to GAMCOTRAP for fulfiling its promise and vowed to keep to their words to protect girl children from FGM.

The support is based on feasibility study amongst beneficiaries, followed by training on microfinance and management of small scale business enterprises. The circumcisers identified animal rearing, pettytrading, pottery, tie and dye and support to develop gardening as their areas of interest.

The ceremony was witnessed by eleven different Alkalolu, women’s leaders and family member of the circumcisers who have decided to stop practicing FGM