By Juldeh Njie
Yeswecan for children foundation in collaboration with the Girls Generation sensitised the community of Giboro on the effects of Female Genital Mutilation on girls, drug on youths, community development and other harmful practices.
The main objective of the event focuses on women and girls that are culturally affected and making sure that girls live in a safe society while exploring their potentials.
The theme of the event is FGM is everyone’s issue and each of us can play a role in creating a world that is safe for girls.
The executive director of the foundation, Essa Jallow said any developed country must have productive youths who will contribute to the development of the nation but that development cannot happen in the absence of education.
“We should all strive to help children in their development because many of them have the perception that development should only be done by the government, but it is a collective responsibility.”
Jallow advised the gathering to desist from indiscriminate dumping because it’s unlawful, saying these problems should be everyone’s and villagers should be their own policemen/women particularly youths in safeguarding their village development.
“If we did not see the problem as a collective one there will not be any development. It is time for us to put an end to this bad practice, and we should understand that celebrating our cultures is not bad but it should not be a culture that would violate us,” he said.
“We want to inculcate good morals and values in the hearts and minds of young people. We did not come to change them but to dialogue with them, to find a solution to end FGM”
While presenting on the FGM practice and misconception, Mai Fatty, a member, said parents should desist from this malpractice because it causes internal bleeding, difficulties during birth, and may lead to barrenness, if not properly carried out.
Sally Jassey, a participant, said: “We have seen the effects of the practice but we were naïve. But now, even my grandchildren will not practice it and if at all I see anyone practicing it, I would discourage them.”
Bakary Jadama, also a participant, said: “I was made to believe that tradition should not be compromised and there are consequences attached, if not followed. But I now realized that it was a misconception and harmful. So FGM must end in my family.”
The ‘Yeswecan’ for children foundation was registered on the 6th September 2016 and the main objective is to uplift the living condition of young people.
