The issue of FGM is not and cannot be about choice. Since the outbreak of the FGM issue, one could hear folks claiming that FGM is about choice. Well, if that choice got to be exercised then it has to be done by the person on whom the practice is to be performed. In this case, such a person is a girl who does not have the capacity in anyway to make such a choice.
Therefore the idea of choice for FGM as some claim is untenable, without basis.
To go further to claim that people should be left to perform their culture which is a right guaranteed is also a misunderstanding of the concept of human rights itself. Inherent in the heart of human rights is the sanctity of the human being including his or her body, space and dignity. Thus as far as the principles of human rights are concerned any cultural belief or practice that has the potential to or actually harm human dignity is a violation.
The practice of FGM is based on a cultural belief which is performed on children. In all respects, this belief and practice have no health benefits, no social benefits and no moral or ethical benefits to any extent to warrant it.
Rather, FGM only harms, removes, reduces, and imposes pain on the body of a girl without her consent. It therefore injures the sanctity and dignity of the girl as a human being. Yes, it’s our cultural practice which is decided by parents over the generations with the best of intentions for our children. No doubts.
But like in the history of every society and culture, human beings have always abandoned, modified, borrowed, adopted or adapted various cultural beliefs and practices with the purpose of improving themselves. Just as human beings find it difficult to adopt new beliefs and practices so also do they find it difficult to abandon existing ones especially one that has lasted for so long. Change is always difficult to accept or reject.
After grappling with this practice for so long, I am convinced that FGM now belongs to the dustbin!! Those who wish to keep us stuck in the past and present while ignoring the harm and the indignity of FGM shall continue to cling onto it! Some of them care more about the status quo hence their own power, status and benefits. Others do not wish to recognize another’s pain and empathize with the victim. Others are merely miseducated, misinformed or misguided about history, religion, culture and rights. Others just twist and confuse issues between religion, culture and politics.
But those who seek to change so as to build a better future for our girls and women, and society as a whole know that FGM is expired. It is not that some of us do not understand or love our culture or religion. It is false to claim some people are paid to campaign against FGM. Let them show evidence of such payments and payees!
Anti-FGM campaigners only recognize the sanctity and dignity of our girls and women which they seek to defend and protect, regardless. We see the pain and domination of our women by an aged old patriarchal system that has always exploited and oppressed women, and even most men. We want to create a just and an equal society in which both women and men enjoy the full beauty, strength and grace of their bodies and humanity. That’s all.
Thus combatting FGM is to promote freedom, justice and equality. With the landmark decision by the National Assembly I wish the Government will now take definitive steps to effectively enforce Women’s Act and the Children’s Act. To raise public awareness about these laws and human rights in general, to monitor the society and immediately bring perpetrators to justice wherever they are found.
For The Gambia Our Homeland
By Madi Jorbateh