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to upgrade their skills and awareness regarding the harmful effects of FGM; establish networks of people living with HIV/AIDS; partner with traditional communicators and train youth drama groups; intensify Family Life Education and HIV counseling; enlist the support of traditional decision-makers; and enhance the IEC capacity of community health-providers and traditional healers. While all stakeholders must realize that it is near impossible – especially in the short term – to apply objective metrics to assess actual reductions in prevalence rates of harmful traditional practices, this evaluation found that nearly all the secondary sub-goals of the proposal appear to have been achieved to various degrees, in some cases exceeding them (for a break-down of proposed versus reached objectives, see section below. See also Appendix 4): Training sessions were held in the following communities (data from reports): • (Report, April 2006) Training Workshop for TBAs, Traditional Healers, and Herbalists on Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, in Bansang (250 participants). • (Report, June 2006) Training Workshop for TBAs, Circumcisers, Traditional Healers (attended by Norway team), inSuduwol, with participation from 12 cluster villages (113 participants). • (Report, December 2006) Training Workshop for TBAs, Circumcisers, Parents. Sutukoba, in Wuli (100 participants). • (Report, May 2007) Training Workshop for Decisionmakers, in Sangajor, Foni, including 4 villages (162 participants). • (Report, May 2007) Training Workshop for Youth (ages 16-25), in Basse (99 participants). • (Report, July 2007) Training Workshop for Senior Secondary School students from CRR, LRR, NBR, (total reached through peer educators: 841). • (Report, May 2008), Training Workshop for Traditional Communicators, Women of Reproductive Age, Circumcisers, Women’s Leaders, and TBAs, in Tambasangsang, URR, including 13 cluster villages (115 participants). • (Report 8, May 2008), Training Workshop for Traditional Decision-makers, Imams, in Kulari/ Garawol, URR, including 3 communities (328 participants). • (Report 9, June 2008) Workshop for Traditional Communicators, in Bantanto CRR, including 6 villages (107 participants). Network was established of nine groups of PLWHA. 15 youth drama groups were trained. 16 schools were reached for Family Life Education including training on FGM and HIV/ AIDS. 3 videos were produced: Dropping the Knives Initiative 2006 (3 minutes) Rhythms against Harmful Traditional Practices 2008 (34 minutes) Winning the Campaign against FGM 2008 (9 minutes) Dropping of the Knives celebration by 18 Circumcisers and their Communities planned and implemented on May 5, 2007, at Independence Stadium, Bakau. As a result of advocacy and training activities, 18 circumcisers and their communities were motivated to publicly declare what they have learned about FGM and that they have decided to stop the practice. These women still maintain their position as leaders in their communities and are a point of reference on women’s issues. This landmark celebration, in which seven districts took part, was the first of its kind in The Gambia and has served as an opening for other communities to follow suit. 20
Knives and other instruments were dropped and circumcisers, carrying signs saying “I have stopped FGM,” recited an oath: “We the circumcisers of The Gambia, representing the cluster villages we cover have solemnly declared to the world and in particular The Gambia that we have stopped the practice of FGM in our various communities. Over the years we have received information on women’s health and have acquired knowledge about the effects of FGM on sexual and reproductive rights and the rights of the child. Having been empowered with the right information, we hereby publicly declare that we shall never involve ourselves in the practice of FGM. We take leadership responsibility in protecting and promoting the best interest of the girl child.” Each one presented with a Certificate of Honor. Alkalos were also given certificates for their support, and all clusters for their participation. Cultural performances were presented from several ethnic groups and remarks were made by: Dr. Isatou Touray, Mrs. Amé Atsu David, from Save the Children, Dr. Nestor Shivute, Resident representative to The Gambia of the WHO, and Dr. Tamsir Mbowe, Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare. An additional 60 circumcisers have declared their intention to participate in the next Dropping of the Knives ceremony. Discussion of objectives reached as proposed General Observations A major strength of GAMCOTRAP is its sustained efforts over time and the consistency of its approach and message. While methodology has been adapted over time (as well as from community to community, depending on need), the basic mandate has remained the same, and no effort is made to conceal the true agenda of the organization. While in the past GAMCOTRAP has often been the target of criticism, insults, and even threats, it appears that over time a major shift has taken place in public awareness and attitudes, and that overall impressions of the organization are positive. Although methodological trends in anti-FGM interventions come and go, the patient consistency of GAMCOTRAP’s approach appears to be paying off, as many beneficiaries explained that “change takes time,” but that they are now ready to consider GAMCOTRAP’s message. In general, the evaluator sees the the field visit as having provided ample evidence that the targeted groups have been reached in the communities visited (and it is important to note that GAMCOTRAP did not restrict these visits, but offered the evaluator the opportunity to choose any community for a visit). Observations showed very open community discussions, even in groups including mixed age, gender, and class. One male elder in URR said: ”This may be a women’s issue, but it affects us men as well. I had one daughter who died after circumcision.” There was a sense that change was embraced without looking back, and that no blame was cast on actions past. As one woman in Basse said: ”What is past is past. Now it is the future.” Circumcisers remain respected members of their communities and continue to advice women (and many of them still practice as TBAs). People who used to engage in domestic violence are not castigated, although it is made clear that such behavior is no longer accepted. In one URR village, a man confessed that he used to beat his wife because he had simply never questioned it. After the training, he said, he realized that 21
Page 1: Gambia Committee on Traditional Pra
Page 4 and 5: Acronymes AEO AIDS CBF CBO CPA CRR
Page 6 and 7: evaluation found that all the secon
Page 8 and 9: findings were discussed, along with
Page 10 and 11: the Situation of Women and Children
Page 12 and 13: concern for women’s sexuality. A
Page 14 and 15: In the absence of anti-FGM legislat
Page 16 and 17: appropriate strategy to specific co
Page 18 and 19: effective public speakers with flue
Page 22 and 23: he could instead sit down and discu
Page 24 and 25: of practising FGM, especially in th
Page 26 and 27: while calling for improved dialogue
Page 28 and 29: The specific goal of this project w
Page 30 and 31: Participatory observation of projec
Page 32 and 33: 14. [December 3] Meeting in Mansaya
Page 34 and 35: 46. [December 7] Interview with Ami
Page 36 and 37: After the group meeting in Mannekun
Page 38 and 39: The Gambia River between Basse and
Page 40 and 41: Makka Masireh meeting in alkalo’s
Page 42 and 43: Suduwol meeting, young former circu
Page 44 and 45: Tambasangsang kanyelengs. Fanta wen
Page 46 and 47: Mabally Kuta (a Mandinka/Jahanka co
Page 48 and 49: Kerewan Samba Sirreh in the
Page 50 and 51: February 24-26, 2009: Dissemination
Page 52 and 53: Appendix 4 Activities completed fro
Page 54 and 55: Appendix 6: Contributions from othe

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