Gambia

Gambia Women Law and Customary Practices

This publication provides information regarding women within the Muslim world focusing on the Gambia. The customary laws, the nature of the personal status laws of women and how women’s issues have been erroneously been led to believe that the only way of “being” is to follow the cultural and religious interpretations of womanhood.

“Traditional/Cultural practices Affecting Women’s Health – FGM”

This hand out describes the effects of Female Genital Mutilation from the health perspective using illustrations on effects of FGM on women’s Reproductive health and rights as well as its prevalence in Africa.

“Case Vignette: Child Abuse or Acceptable Cultural Norms, in Ethics & Behaviour”

This is a case of FGM regarding three Gambian families with preadolescent daughters abroad. None of the girls had yet undergone the ritual "female circumcision" commonly practiced. Five of the six parents think it would be a good idea to hold such a ritual ceremony. The sixth parent is uneasy about the procedure and wonders about its appropriateness.

“Sexuality and Women's Sexual Rights in The Gambia”

This is a contribution to the discourse of sexuality looking at FGM as a violation of the bodily dignity and integrity of women.

“Reconceptualising traditional practices in The Gambia. The case of female genital mutilation”

The thesis tries to explain the Practice of FGM in the context of culture and how it is used to control female sexuality. It brings out belief systems and how the victims of FGM are indoctrinated to embrace patriarchal values etc.

UPDATE: Gambia: Lack of Fula translator delays GAMCOTRAP case hearing

No more witnesses have testified since the testimony of the director of Yolocamba Solidaridad on the allegation of theft case against GAMCOTRAP officials Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang-Sissoho. Appearing before Principal Magistrate Alagde at the Banjul Magistrate court on Monday, 28 March 2011, Prosecution Officer Superintendent Sainey Joof announced the presence of only one witness instead of four as announced at the previous seating. Prosecution witness Mariama Sumura, one of the celebrated Ex-Circumcisers trained by GAMCOTRAP, was called to the stand. The court was brought to a standstill when it was realized that the witness could only speak Fula. Joof said he met the witness that morning and realized she could only speak Fula. Magistrate Alagde asked for volunteers from the court room to translate but none was forthcoming. Update to Gambia: Witnesses did not appear in GAMCOTRAP Case hearing

UPDATE: Gambia: Witnesses did not appear in GAMCOTRAP Case hearing

Four witnesses failed to turn up to testify in the allegation of theft case against GAMCOTRAP officials, Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang- Sissoho at the Banjul Magistrate on the 9th March at 2011. Prosecution Officer, Superintendent Sainey Joof applied for an adjournment of the hearing because four Prosecution witnesses (2 from the Upper River Region and 2 from the Central River Region) did not turn up in court. Prosecution Officer Joof told the court that a fax message has been sent on Friday to the Police in Basse to inform the women that they should report to the Court in Banjul to testify in the GAMCOTRAP case hearing. “We have subpoenaed them to come but they are not here. The main office here has sent the fax to the Police so that they can use that to inform them.” Update to Gambia: Yolocamba Director Accused of Rights Violation

UPDATE: Gambia: Yolocamba Director Accused of Rights Violation

Lawyer Amie Bensouda on Thursday accused Madam Begonaballes Teros Sanchez, director of Yolocamba Solidaridad, a Spanish-based NGO, of fundamental rights violation for instigating the prosecution of the two top officials of Gamcotrap, local women's rights NGO. Gamcotrap executive director Dr Isatou Touray and programme coordinator Amie Bojang Sissoho are standing trial at the Banjul Magistrates' Court for allegedly stealing 31, 000 Euros from the Spanish NGO. Update to Gambia: Trial of Dr. Isatou Touray & Amie Bojang-Sissoho adjourned to 22 December

MISE A JOUR: Gambie: Procès des deux FDDH, Dr Isatou Touray et Amie Bojang-Cissokho continue

Le réseau international de solidarité, Femmes sous lois musulmanes (WLUML) et la campagne "Violence is Not our Culture" (VNC), continuent à appeler à un procès juste pour deux femmes défenseurs des droits humains, membre de conseil de WLUML, Dr Isatou Touray, et Amie Bojang-Cissokho.

UPDATE: Gambia: Trial continues of WHRDs Dr. Isatou Touray & Amie Bojang-Sissoho

Dr. Isatou Touray and Ms. Amie Bojang-Sissoho are, respectively, the Executive Director and Program Coordinator for the Gambia Committee for Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP), and have for many years been active in the promotion of gender equality, rights of women and children, particularly in the fight against female genital mutilation and other discriminatory practices. In May 2010, the Presidency set up a commission of investigation into the allegation that GAMCOTRAP had been mis-managing donor funds from an organization called Yolocamba Solidaridad.