By Lamin Sanneh,
Lamin Sanneh is an anti-FGM campaigner. Here he shares his most recent media activities to end FGM in The Gambia.
Our Media Project AIM:
Strengthen open dialogue on FGM with influential leaders Women community leaders), public health students, youth, and women to minimize the culture of silence on FGM and equip the public health students with adequate knowledge on FGM and ways to implore survivors to share their stories on issues they came across through FGM.
Media outlets:
I was able to use Kaira Nyining Community Radio. This radio station is owned by 33 communities in Kombo East District and the communities take ownership to always listen to the radio. The estimated reach of the radio is in three regions, the West Coast Region, North Bank Region, and parts of the Lower River Region.
Our success:
The activity was successful due to the reactions of the listeners through phone calls and text messages during the radio air times. Most of the listeners did not hesitate to share their views and also highlight the importance of the activity. Most of these issues are not adequately discussed in our local settings for people to understand and make informed choices to avert practicing FGM which is against the violation of the right to the girl child. Few listeners that called also put more emphasis on also adding their voices to discourage their families and friends that still believed FGM is a religious obligation and a deep-rooted cultural value they should protect at all cost.
Strong messages:
- Most people promised to stop practicing FGM
- Most people are still reluctant that the practice is a good one and can’t do away from it.
- Most of the survivors have stories to tell but fear of the stigma and discrimination the society portray to others
Next time we plan to…
Target young people specifically to add more voices on eliminating FGM