By Mariama Marong / Makutu Manneh
ChildFund-The Gambia, on Monday 29th July, commenced a three-day training of journalists on how to report on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and human rights violations.
The training, which was funded by the UNFPA, was held at the ChildFund complex in Kanifing.
Nfamara Dabo, ChildFund’sprogrammes and sponsorship director described the training of reporters on the above subjects as an important component in the work of a journalist.
“The media plays a crucial role in informing society on the dangers of FGM and other rights violations, and there is very little report on matters affecting children in this country,’’ Mr. Dabo said.
According to him, many harmful things are happening to children in the country that journalists do not report. He underscored the role that the media can play in portraying these harmful practices that are done to children in the country.
Mr Dabo said issues surrounding FGM, child marriage, and child pregnancy, should be discussed within the media as a matter of concern.
George Micheal from UNFPA said rights violations are not only limited to FGM but to gender inequality as well, adding that journalists have to remove personal biases when reporting on FGM and gender issues.
“Journalists should not be subjective when reporting on issues of FGM and personal biases or the personal feelings of reporters should not be included in their stories on their newspapers, radio and television programs and online news,” he said.
He emphasized that The Gambia government has signed and ratified many regional and international treaties against FGM and gender inequality which he said has been domesticated. She said they are expecting to see a change in the reporting angle on gender inequality and FGM.
Musukuta Komma, ChildFund’s Country Director said the media is a responsible organ to society and journalists are the voices of the people for a reason. She said journalists hold an essential position in society, noting that it is the responsibility of the media to inform people about their roles towards children because it is crucial to protect young girls from FGM.
Fallu Sowe, the national coordinator for the Network Against Gender-Based Violence (NGBV), said FGM has negative effects on children who also have rights that should not be infringed.
“All rights are equal and no right is more important than the other,” Mr. Sowe said. He quoted the Children’s Act of 2015 which states that ‘‘every child should be protected from harm’’, adding that FGM is discriminatory on children because after going through the process, the sexual desire of a woman is reduced which he said is a violation of their rights.
The Children’s Act was enacted in 2005 and amended in 2016. The Act states that “every child has the right to enjoy the best attainable state of physical and mental health.”
